London, UK, 30 December 2016:  Vehicles fitted with autonomous technologies will bring most benefit to the personal mobility of the disabled (56%), the visually impaired (42%) and the elderly (30%), according to a survey of the British public conducted by Nissan.

Improved mobility for everyone was considered to be the primary advantage of autonomous cars, accounting for the sentiment of more than 60% of respondents.

This benefit outweighed concerns of the possibility of a malfunction (49%), or not having full control of the car, which for 53% of the interviewees was seen as the biggest safety concern. However, half of those surveyed (51%) felt that a reduction in accidents caused by human error would also be a positive outcome of the new technology, followed by lower stress levels (45%) for drivers.

The survey conducted by Nissan canvassed the views of more than 6,000 people across Europe, including 1,000 from the UK, to create a report of Consumer Attitudes to Autonomous Drive Technologies.

One in three British residents (33%) claimed to be ‘excited’ about the possibility of more self-driving cars on the roads and almost half (45%) said they would be comfortable riding in one. Concerns about an overreliance on technology though, saw 55% of respondents stating they would be ‘uncomfortable’ being driven by the technology.

However, another benefit identified was the ability to do ‘something other than driving’ when in the car. Three in four (76%) Brits admitted to multi-tasking behind the wheel, such as eating (38%) or even illegally texting (11%). Therefore 44% of the surveyed liked the idea of autonomous vehicles taking care of the driving to provide more free or productive time.

Managing Director of Nissan GB, Alex Smith commented; ‘Mass-market autonomous technologies are very much in their infancy, so the vast majority of drivers won’t have had the opportunity to experience life on the road with them. Therefore we’d expect some hesitancies about such a revolutionary change to how we drive our cars – or indeed how our cars drive us.

However, these results are pleasantly optimistic, particularly with regards identifying the benefits to users who will rely on the technology more, such as the elderly or the impaired. The fact that more than one in seven (13%) buyers are already considering some kind of autonomously-equipped car for their next purchase also demonstrates an enthusiasm for these new innovations.’

 

Er no thanks, I'll drive it my way, even if I do use adaptations....

You got a link to where you found this please, Paul.

It's the transition period that's going to be the big challenge; those updating their social media 'commitments' whilst driving in semi autonomous mode.

Imagine the revenue boost for the government.

I wonder what these driverless cars are like in thick fog?

The technology is already here its just puting into a car and making it work together,

 

Having driven some of the newer flagship volvo models with things like active cruise control, lane assist and collision warning with full autobrake,

 

It won't be long before driverless cars are here

I saw an article today (well the link to it..on reddit :notme: ) which was a discussion on the fact that "some" groups are predicting (scaremongering? But in a potentially accurate way..) a massive issue in organ transplant availability once driverless cars become the norm due to the "reduced collision risk" as currently 1 in 5transplanted organs come from RTA fatalities..

Edit corrected transplant ratio..

Edited 30 December, 20169 yr by mac11irl

You got a link to where you found this please, Paul.

 

Sent you a link

Sent you a link

 

Why not put it on here?

I wonder what these driverless cars are like in thick fog?

Adaptive cruise control and speed conditioned gaps between vehicles, it's the way forward.  Relative positioning can be achieved however absolute will need greater accuracy from positioning systems, other wise we get car going down the wrong slip road, and I notice that never happens at the moment!

Why not put it on here?

https://driveev.net/2016/12/30/automonomous-vehicles-could-bring-the-most-benefit-to-disabled-and-elderly-people/

Adaptive cruise control and speed conditioned gaps between vehicles, it's the way forward.  Relative positioning can be achieved however absolute will need greater accuracy from positioning systems, other wise we get car going down the wrong slip road, and I notice that never happens at the moment!

I understand the technology, I was thinking more from the view of the passenger sitting there with no driver entering thick fog.

"Book-ends, pumice stone and West Germany".

 

https://youtu.be/aBYLNHiIJMc

 

 

My money's on the prune and pumpkin neopolitan.

 

 

N

 

 

 

Why not put it on here?

No point as I've copied the text and it was from a registered journalist site any way so you couldn't have accessed it anyway. I see a link has been posted elsewhere anyway.