Anyone else think fully automated cars are a bad idea?

[kwmech]

I think a lot of people are shying away from the "new technology" anyways. I'm getting more and more people trying to buy my trucks. Plus if somebody has even a square body truck up for sale, the morons are bidding up the price (just like the housing market) if they show up at the same time. Say you purchase a decent 79 truck for say 5k and put another 10-12k into it. You have nearly a brand new truck without all the crap that is going to fail. I had somebody about 2 months ago in the hardware store parking lot that would not let up on me when I told him my truck was not for sale. I finally asked him if I was going to have to get violent with him, pushy bastard.

[FleetsidePaul]

Originally Posted by kwmech

I had somebody about 2 months ago in the hardware store parking lot that would not let up on me when I told him my truck was not for sale. I finally asked him if I was going to have to get violent with him, pushy bastard.

I get that all the time. I usually just throw a stupid high price at them.

If they want to pay a ridiculous price, I'll sell it, and buy a nicer one with their money.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by JON67

Most data shows that eliminating the human factor from driving will both improve traffic flow, and drastically reduce collision fatalities. Unforseen emergencies aside, most accidents happen because of bad human driving. computers will eliminate this. computers are predictable. humans aren't. Insurance rates should also plummet.

They are estimating that by 2030 all cargo will be distributed by driverless trucks. I think the driverless car debate is moot though. my belief is in the future most people will opt to use a car service like Uber, eliminating the need for a car, license, insurance any all the other expenses needed. at least in more urban areas.

I am already starting to see this with my kids' generation. my son is 18 and expressed zero interest in driving. and even now, anytime I bring up him getting a car. he gets super anxious thinking about the expense. He says it is not worth it to him.

For some reason, this thread popped in my head this morning and for almost the whole ride to work, I thought about the + and - affects it can/will have.

Whether we like it or not, accidents will be greatly reduced. Drunk driving alone is one of the nation's biggest automotive killers... now you can get as drunk as you want, just stammer the word "home" and your car will take you there while you pass out. The other biggie? Distracted driving. Take away all the idiots we ***** about and take them out of the equation and we all make to our work/home safely.

That said, there will be accidents, and there will be deaths. Can't be prevented, but it will likely be more like the airlines... they won't happen often, but when they do, they'll be bad, might involve a lot of people, and will probably make the news. +/-35,000 people die in auto accidents each year, what if that number is reduced by 2/3? Would we consider these cars "safe" or will we still call them "unsafe" even though deaths would be reduced? *I'm assuming all cars are autodrive, infrastructure is in place, and has been "working" for a few years.

What about hackers? What if someone hacked into "the system" and took over cars to use them to kill pedestrians (like we've recently seen with terrorists)? Or to cause huge pileups/deaths, or sent cars speeding over cliffs or bridges for their own enjoyment?

What would this do to our economy?

I can't imagine that many jobs would be "added." The cars would be just like we have now, maybe a few more tech and infrastructure jobs, but what about after that? Also, we may find that new car sales could have a serious drop as I'm assuming there would be a significant drop in accidents, which will drop the number of totaled cars... so no need to buy new cars if they're not getting totaled?

Negative impacts? Obviously, truck drivers. The transport industry in the US employs almost 9 million people, with +/-3.5 million being actual drivers. If trucks are automated, where are those jobs going to go?

Lets say accidents are reduced by 2/3, or even less... much fewer new cars will be sold (from cars not getting wrecked) body shops will go out of business with no work to do, parts suppliers... etc.

That leads to the next issue, if it's mandatory to own an autocar... it will also be likely it can't be modified, or modified much... this could kill the aftermarket industry, which I believe currently makes up billions? in sales overall. That's sales people, suppliers, etc...

Will old cars be "illegal"? That could also kill an entire industry that employs a ****load of people. Restoration shops, parts houses and suppliers...

For new cars, if they're all "autodrive" why do we need a "choice"? Will there be one standard car, truck, SUV? We literally have hundreds of cars to choose from now, but if you can't drive it... just ride in it, what does it matter what it is??? Will this put all but a couple of mfgs out of business? Will they all merge to make a "people's car" - Yea, I went there...

Also, if all cars drive the same, we all know "that guy" that shifts from R to D while still rolling backwards, brakes or accelerates too hard... all the time... with the computer telling the car how to run, it's also a correct assumption that cars would need fewer repairs (assuming the autodrive systems function as designed)?

The economic ripple affect could potentially be devastating for the US, but no one has addressed that aspect?

We've all seen the negative impact just a slow year from the auto mfgs can cause...

Will something else take over?

Does anyone else ever think of this crap?

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by 67ChevyRedneck

Does anyone else ever think of this crap?

Nope

Not enough time on my hands to worry about crap I have no control over.

[WyattTX]

Originally Posted by leddzepp

Nope

Not enough time on my hands to worry about crap I have no control over.

You as an individual have no control, but if enough of us band together, we can make a difference. This is most likely going to be a serious matter, we cant just stick our heads in the sand, and let oursleves get pushed around.

[leddzepp]

Originally Posted by WyattTX

You as an individual have no control, but if enough of us band together, we can make a difference. This is most likely going to be a serious matter, we cant just stick our heads in the sand, and let oursleves get pushed around.

Good luck with stopping progress.

[FleetsidePaul]

I don't see how they could make it mandatory.

You're going to tell poor people that they HAVE to buy a new car? How? if you have no money.

And junk their priceless classic.

I just don't see how that would fly. And I live in California where nothing makes sense.

As far as drinking and driving. No one likes to go to the bar and pound a few, more than me, but I already have an automated ride home. It's called a taxi....or an angry wife.

I prefer the taxi. They don't yell at me.

I just drove 200 miles yesterday, and what struck me was just the sheer stupidity of some of the other people on the road. Passing on blind curves.

Idiots like that are just ammunition for the Automated car jerks that want to shove everything down your throat.

As for me, I'm not riding down the interstate in some roller coaster that I have no control over.

I know how to drive, I've been doing it a long time.

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by FleetsidePaul

I don't see how they could make it mandatory.

People said the exact same thing about health care...

Originally Posted by FleetsidePaul

You're going to tell poor people that they HAVE to buy a new car? How? if you have no money.

That's easy, the same way they get free food, rent, and cell phones, it's heavily subsidized and you and I pay for it.

Originally Posted by FleetsidePaul

As far as drinking and driving. No one likes to go to the bar and pound a few, more than me, but I already have an automated ride home. It's called a taxi....or an angry wife.

I prefer the taxi. They don't yell at me.

Unfortunately, statistics show that most people aren't as intelligent as you or I

Originally Posted by FleetsidePaul

I just drove 200 miles yesterday, and what struck me was just the sheer stupidity of some of the other people on the road. Passing on blind curves.

Idiots like that are just ammunition for the Automated car jerks that want to shove everything down your throat.

Completely agree.

Originally Posted by FleetsidePaul

As for me, I'm not riding down the interstate in some roller coaster that I have no control over.

I know how to drive, I've been doing it a long time.

Me either, it's what I love to do. I would literally lose part of my identity if my toys were taken away.

My post was just my random thoughts, I'm completely against it. I converted my Mustang to a 5 speed because I thought the auto was too boring for a "fun" car.

[davischevy]

Bad idea; Yes

Inevitable; Probably

[67ChevyRedneck]

Originally Posted by WyattTX

You as an individual have no control, but if enough of us band together, we can make a difference. This is most likely going to be a serious matter, we cant just stick our heads in the sand, and let oursleves get pushed around.

I completely agree.

Organizations like the NHRA and SEMA have fought proposed legislation (especially from the great state of California ) that would eliminate or greatly limit the use/ownership of vehicles prior to 1980. That's been quite a while, if it comes back up, I'm sure they'd love to bump it to 1990+ If we all didn't support these organizations, removing "old cars" from our roads would have likely happened long ago.

[Damien]

I'm pretty sure the start of autonomous cars can be linked to the automatic transmission and there have been a series of advancements that have taken the skill out of driving since then including cruise control and and ABS. Riding in a vehicle that does not have functioning ABS on icy roads and the driver does not know to pump the brakes is one of the scariest experiences I have had in the last few years. One could even argue electronic fuel injection has taken skill out of driving. Most people would have trouble starting an engine with a carb because they don't know to pump the throttle or let the engine warm up for a couple minutes.

I think we (humans) are devolving to the point autonomous cars may make the roads safer for the rest of us, not to mention less frustrating. It would eliminate the Prius driving 10 mph under the speed limit in he left lane or the jerk that can't leave their phone alone.

[special-K]

I have been driving longer than a computer. And, I have the capacity to reason, assess, and react on a split second. Things don't always turn out as planned and I am equipped to deal with that... whatever it is

[FleetsidePaul]

Originally Posted by special-K

I have been driving longer than a computer.

Yeah, and if the computer crashes, so do you.

[special-K]

Computers crash??? Oh no, butter tell the IT people so they can be aware of this!

Does someone actually consider this progress? Progress of what, technology for the sake of progressing technology? It certainly is quite the opposite for the human race. It would certainly be one more drop in the bucket of human degeneration.

No matter if one agrees with that or not. The fact is, so called progress can absolutely be stopped. Happens all the time. In America it started with a thing called The American Revolution. Now we do it in legislature and courtrooms. It's called fighting for our rights.

[Coley]

They are coming but I'm pretty sure there will always be two tiers to this challenge.
There will be spaces or lanes or throughways specifically for the self-driving option....and there will be 'regular' lanes for manual driving.
Any attempt to completely change over to self-driving would never work and never fly...there are far too many opponents and other interests involved....not the least of which would be the consortium of Auto Body Shops coast to coast.
Seriously....there will probably be two tiers.

Coley

[WyattTX]

Originally Posted by Coley

They are coming but I'm pretty sure there will always be two tiers to this challenge.
There will be spaces or lanes or throughways specifically for the self-driving option....and there will be 'regular' lanes for manual driving.
Any attempt to completely change over to self-driving would never work and never fly...there are far too many opponents and other interests involved....not the least of which would be the consortium of Auto Body Shops coast to coast.
Seriously....there will probably be two tiers.

Coley

That is the idea I thought of, since much of thr current infrastructure, would be brutal to self driving cars. A human can dodge a pothole. A sensor can break, or have a delayed resonse causing the car to bottom out, it the hole is deep enough.
It is no fun to drive on crappy roads, with traditional cars, but at least you have the option to around obstacles, where the automated car may refuse to leave the current lane or simply not sense the hole.

[Front Range]

Originally Posted by shp4man

They'll get my truck when they pry it from my cold, dead fingers.

That's what bolt cutters are for.

[davischevy]

As new generations come, automation come with them.

We had one gas powered, carbureted C75 still in operation till a couple years ago. We hauled trash, brush etc. with it.

A young guy was driving it one day near the shop. My wife came in and said "what's the matter with that old truck, it was popping and backfiring and blowing smoke".

Turns out he had the choke closed, not knowing how it worked.

[WyattTX]

Fewer people can even operate a manual transmission, in fact I have heard the government is going to try to buy only automatic transmissions for our troops, because it is too expensive to train them to use a manual. The m1008 pickup, and current HMMWVs are autos.

[Orange67]

I agree it will be separate tiers or lanes.

I taught my wife and kids, nieces, and kids friends how to drive stick before I let them drive autos just so they'd know how. Funny thing? They all prefer manual trans, its more fun.

Anybody see the movie Logan? There is a scene on a highway where an automated big rig changes lanes and forces Logan's truck off the road and causes an accident. None of the rigs slowed or tried to avoid anything in their way....

[FleetsidePaul]

Separate lanes would be a disaster in So.Cal. The freeway's are already clogged up like a fat guy that ate too much cheese.

Take away another lane and it's going to get even worse.

I've already seen it with the bike lanes. They back up traffic, and you rarely ever see a bike in them.

[bhayes1]

Whether you are for it or against it, in my opinion, you can't outweigh the benefits it would provide to the negatives that might come with it.

Every time I get in a vehicle and look at the people next to me driving down the freeways and think to myself... wow I am basically trusting my life to this stranger who doesn't care a lick about me. They are in a 70MPH bomb and one little mistake and it's all over. Believe me, there are a ton of drivers out there who are more concerned with their social media updates than your life and that is not changing no matter how many distracted driving tickets get handed out.

If your autoCAD crashes daily, you might want to update your system. I use it 5-6 days a week all day and rarely have an issue with it. The bozo driving next to you is much more likely to crash than your computer (no stats needed for that).

Besides all the other good points brought up: drunk driving, road rage, etc.

When the technology advances enough to make it feasible, this will be a good thing no doubt. However, as with most of you, the government wont get my old pick up without a fight.

[61_FL_Apache]

The only automation I need in a truck is for the turn signals to cancel when you complete the turn. That's all I need.