Picking up on Sudhi's post on Google's development of a car which drives itself (and the subsequent discussion we had in class Thursday), I came across a project underway in Germany. The AutoNOMOS Project has developed a practical use of the driver-less car - the autonomous taxi.
While we discussed the reluctance of accepting the concept of driver-less cars, this is a great illustration of the value add this concept can bring.
Thoughts?
Although this looks fascinating, I don't think that I would like to put my life into the "hands" of a computer. It's a very nice pilot project, but I don't see this becoming reality unless ALL vehicles involved in traffic act as one entity and are interconnected.
ReplyDeleteBut then again, do we really want to go there? Just because we can, doesn't mean we should. Where does the fun of driving come to play if everything will be controlled and regulated by machines?
Dan--You are right at one level. But, we do put ourselves indirectly and invisibly into the hands (and 'brains') of the computers..
ReplyDeleteSo, it will evolve in ways that we may not be able to see. That's the challenge (and opportunity) in IT-enabled settings.
Best..
A fully automated vehicle is really cool and really scary at the same time. It would provide a driver who doesn't get drunk, run red lights/stop signs, fall asleep, text, talk on the phone,put on makeup, speed or eat food while they are driving. Long distance travel time could be reduced and could be more precisely estimated. This would be huge for the trucking industry. However, the scary part is what happens if the automated safety systems are damaged or fail. I would want a big red "break in case of emergency" stop button.
ReplyDelete-Stefan M.