Ask HN: Why aren't remote human drivers a thing?

#1

Post by s_r_n » Wed, Oct 30, 2019, 3:29 PM UTC

I saw an article today where Steve Wozniak said he didn't think autonomous cars would come to fruition during his lifetime. However, I have not read very much about any sort of innovation around a system that uses human drivers to control vehicles remotely. Why isn't this idea being explored more?

Re: Ask HN: Why aren't remote human drivers a thing?

#2

Post by [deleted] » Wed, Oct 30, 2019, 3:32 PM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Ask HN: Why aren't remote human drivers a thing?

#3

Post by TheEndless » Wed, Oct 30, 2019, 3:35 PM UTC

Maybe because it still requires a human to be occupied during the task, and they also don't have physical safety stake in the activity. I don't think I'd feel quite at ease if a driver over the Internet had my fate in their hands. Also that brings up the fact that latency and failure of wireless communications could mean death.

Re: Ask HN: Why aren't remote human drivers a thing?

#4

Post by udayrddy » Wed, Oct 30, 2019, 3:35 PM UTC

I do not see any use case with it. If I have to remote control it, I would rather control directly. Isn't the whole purpose to make use of your time on other works instead of driving?

Re: Ask HN: Why aren't remote human drivers a thing?

#5

Post by thecrumb » Wed, Oct 30, 2019, 3:36 PM UTC

Tunnels? Overpasses? Trees. Thinking about how many times my satellite radio fades out.

Re: Ask HN: Why aren't remote human drivers a thing?

#6

Post by wingerlang » Wed, Oct 30, 2019, 3:38 PM UTC

Imagine driving a car over Skype

Re: Ask HN: Why aren't remote human drivers a thing?

#7

Post by raztogt21 » Wed, Oct 30, 2019, 3:38 PM UTC

no skin in the game for the remote driver

Re: Ask HN: Why aren't remote human drivers a thing?

#8

Post by icedchai » Wed, Oct 30, 2019, 3:46 PM UTC

Connectivity in general. You need a 100% reliable, low latency, high bandwidth connection. Milliseconds matter in an emergency.

Re: Ask HN: Why aren't remote human drivers a thing?

#9

Post by MS90 » Wed, Oct 30, 2019, 6:38 PM UTC

icedchai wrote: post #8

Connectivity in general. You need a 100% reliable, low latency, high bandwidth connection. Milliseconds matter in an emergency.

The USAF is able to deal with latency issues when controlling and targeting drones on the opposite side of the planet, though I do believe they use local people with line of sight connections to handle takeoffs and landings.

I don't see why something like their systems couldn't be applied here. Well, other than the fact that you'd need the resources (see: cash and massive satellite network) that the USAF has...

Re: Ask HN: Why aren't remote human drivers a thing?

#10

Post by tdeck » Wed, Oct 30, 2019, 6:51 PM UTC

They are a thing. This company is doing it with trucks: https://www.starsky.io/