Nevada passes law authorizing driverless cars • Hacker News Board

Re: Nevada passes law authorizing driverless cars

#91

Post by bh42222 » Thu, Jun 23, 2011, 6:27 PM UTC

YES!

Here is why this is great. As the industrial revolution was just starting up, many places in Europe banned this or that new labor saving invention - to preserve jobs. But not all, many others allowed the new machinery, this quickly forced all other to either also allow it or fall behind economically.

Back to Nevada, Google will now start moving cars there. I can't be the only who wants to sleep during the commute to work, people in Nevada will start doing that. At least some old people will use this, and then more and more as they see how great it works and grants them greater independence. Parents could start using it for their teenagers. It will save lives. How long before someone in Nevada starts an all driver-less taxi service?

This marks the beginning of an honest to goodness technological revolution, how often do you see that happening in one lifetime? And it's staring in Nevada.

Re: Nevada passes law authorizing driverless cars

#92

Post by baconner » Thu, Jun 23, 2011, 6:27 PM UTC

jmonegro wrote: post #72

phlux wrote: post #12

This should be a feature that one can enable should you have consumed any alcohol.

Maybe measure your BAC according to your breath or something.

In fact breathalyzer based ignition locks already exist. http://www.technovelgy.com/ct/Science-Fiction-News.asp?NewsN...

Re: Nevada passes law authorizing driverless cars

#93

Post by bh42222 » Thu, Jun 23, 2011, 6:28 PM UTC

melling wrote: post #90

alanh wrote: post #81

We expect people to be frightened of robotic cars for the same reason they are scared of dying in a plane crash: Some deep-seated fear of dying in a manner that isn’t our own fault. Thoughts: 1) Marketing/PR for autonomous vehicles needs to really drive home their safety, so when you hear “robot car,” you think “… saves lives.” 2) Is it hard to imagine the opposite fear in children born 10 years from now? Having seen…

I think you've got the reason people are afraid of flying wrong. People aren't afraid of dying in a bus crash, or on a train, even an automated one, like they are of flying.

Yep. I hate flying, but would pay a lot of money for a driverless car, and sleep like a baby while I commute to work.

Re: Nevada passes law authorizing driverless cars

#94

Post by Cushman » Thu, Jun 23, 2011, 6:29 PM UTC

Hawramani wrote: post #45

[Survey question] What are Google's options for monetizing driverless cars?

Leaving aside that licensing the technology will obviously pay for itself a thousand times over...

It's a little crass to ask the question, I think. Widespread introduction of robotic cars would be one of the greatest humanitarian achievements in American history. You don't ask what's the profit motive in cancer research, you're just glad someone cares enough to spend the money.

Not that I blame you for being curious, of course.

Re: Nevada passes law authorizing driverless cars

#95

Post by bh42222 » Thu, Jun 23, 2011, 6:31 PM UTC

stevenp wrote: post #89

This means there's going to be a market for in-car bar equipment! Someone is going to make millions on DC-powered blenders and cup holders that can safely accomodate cocktail shakers. :)

In-car big screen TVs, right in front of the windshield! Two seater sized cars, but with only one set of very specious seats/recliners.

Re: Nevada passes law authorizing driverless cars

#96

Post by JoeAltmaier » Thu, Jun 23, 2011, 6:34 PM UTC

bh42222 wrote: post #91

YES! Here is why this is great. As the industrial revolution was just starting up, many places in Europe banned this or that new labor saving invention - to preserve jobs. But not all, many others allowed the new machinery, this quickly forced all other to either also allow it or fall behind economically. Back to Nevada, Google will now start moving cars there. I can't be the only who wants to sleep during the commut…

So next: car alarm clock! So you don't end up sleeping half the day away in your work parking lot.

Re: Nevada passes law authorizing driverless cars

#97

Post by spoold » Thu, Jun 23, 2011, 6:35 PM UTC

Cushman wrote: post #83

spoold wrote: post #52

Earlier quoted context omitted.

"The de facto standard in this country" Which country? It's a global problem (and this is a global forum). Kudos to Nevada for having the presence and foresight to pass this legislation. It opens up a world of possibilities for future transport options, and whilst it will take a while for the public to catch up and accept both the technology, and the transport changes it enables, this is a huge step in the right dire…

What country is Nevada in? I'm not blind to the existence of transportation issues in other countries, but insufficient (read "nonexistent") public transportation is often noted as a predominantly (while not uniquely) American problem. Certainly we represent the archetype of the "one car per person" catastrophe. The emergence of communal, computer-controlled electric vehicles could turn that around completely, so I d…

"What country is Nevada in?"

Spain for one. I know which Nevada the legislation was passed in, but your comment made the implicit assumption that everyone reading it is in the US.

"insufficient (read "nonexistent") public transportation is often noted as a predominantly (while not uniquely) American problem"

As is egocentrism.

Re: Nevada passes law authorizing driverless cars

#98

Post by bh42222 » Thu, Jun 23, 2011, 6:38 PM UTC

mkr-hn wrote: post #60

amalcon wrote: post #44

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well, the technology has been nearly there for over a decade. The problems are all legal. The obvious part was that automated cars are illegal to begin with. Less obviously, the liability situation is unclear: who would be willing to accept liability for the driverless car? The company that makes it would be at a huge risk at the mass market stage, because there would be many cars. Therefore, they would be unwilling.…

Insurance companies can see how reliable these things have become, and they know how bad humans are at driving. Insurers will probably start mandating automation (or offering incentives) in the next 5-7 years.

Exactly, if these cars are statistically safer the insurance companies will notice that in a very few years. And then they will strongly encourage drivers, or should I say car owners, to get these.

Especially if you are in a demographic the car insurance companies consider risky, you'll get to choose between paying A LOT to dive yourself, or a hell of a lot less to have the car drive you.

Re: Nevada passes law authorizing driverless cars

#99

Post by Simucal » Thu, Jun 23, 2011, 6:39 PM UTC

arkitaip wrote: post #86

alanh wrote: post #81

We expect people to be frightened of robotic cars for the same reason they are scared of dying in a plane crash: Some deep-seated fear of dying in a manner that isn’t our own fault. Thoughts: 1) Marketing/PR for autonomous vehicles needs to really drive home their safety, so when you hear “robot car,” you think “… saves lives.” 2) Is it hard to imagine the opposite fear in children born 10 years from now? Having seen…

Unfortunately Google is incredibly bad at sales and marketing so don't expect them to understand that their main challenge will be the public perception of driverless cars.

I think they understand this. What I'm not sure of is if they will have the sales ability to do anything about it.

Re: Nevada passes law authorizing driverless cars

#100

Post by jessriedel » Thu, Jun 23, 2011, 6:40 PM UTC

darrennix wrote: post #85

I believe one of the most overlooked benefits of driverless cars is that it makes small-engine, low acceleration (high efficiency) cars acceptable for the American market. Most Americans are currently unwilling to drive a 1 liter engine car because of its no fun to drive, but if you are lounging in the back seat you won't care.

As an American who is exactly as you describe, I agree. This may be a way to sell the idea to skeptical people of certain political persuasions, but the other benefits of driverless cars (greatly reduced numbers of death and injury, huge amounts of human time freed) will dwarf the gas efficiency improvement.