Here About The New Google Car?

It's a matter of trust. Flight is probably the most 'automated' form of transportation we have (due to the size, and sheer value paid to the airline for each flight), and yet they will never have pilotless planes for the same reason we won't have driverless vehicles. Nobody will get in them if they don't have a sense of control, or at least a person they can point to as 'being in control'.

It's a safety issue, mentally. Not a safety issue, technologically. People won't go for it.

Then, you have the multifaceted issue regarding maintenance, fueling, etc. Not everything is 'picture perfect' that a computer can do it on the fly (yet). Docks that are lined, etc, can be done. What about those docks at 2am on dirt backing up against a dock in pitch black with no lights, and you get out to look 14 times to make sure you're lining up properly with it and avoiding that post on your blind side, no lines, etc. I don't think a computer will have the sensory perception to do such a thing.

Most of the 'driverless' ideas involve some sort of external stimuli implanted in roadways, or guideance systems in cars that detail things about the road to know where to run (consistent lane markings, metal implanted in roadway, etc). Just using a few cameras wouldn't be enough.

 

I believe it will be a VERY long time before we see driverless semis. Computer assisted trucks, though, may be here before too many years.

"Computer, I am going to take a nap. Stay on I-76, and wake me at milepost 80."
"Confirmed."

One other thing that may also spur adoption is if the computers can communicate with each other, that opens the possibility of forming a "train" of several trucks operating within a couple feet of each other. It would be nice to run 70-75 MPH in a convoy, and everyone is getting the fuel mileage they would get for running 50.

Should be interesting.

 

Sorry I wouldn't trust the computer to wake me up let alone stay on I-76 while I"m asleep. Although it would be nice to have a computer in the truck that was smart. Might actually win a game of solitare while I'm sitting at a shippers or receivers.

 

Again please tell me how a driverless truck will take care of everything that we have to do?