Automated cars closer to reality than we expect?

bigpern23 · Feb 22, 2012

http://whatsnext.blogs.cnn.com/2012/02/22/the-sci-fi-future-of-driving-its-already-here/?hpt=hp_c1

An interesting read on CNN.com about how close automakers are to being able to fully automate driving and whether society would really want to give up full control in cars.

This comes on the heels of Consumer Reports' announcement yesterday that it supports "vehicle-to-vehicle" technology, which allows cars to communicate with one another and effectively stay away from one another.

It all sounds very futuristic, but it may not be as far off as we would think.

Stitch · Feb 22, 2012

We can put a man on the moon, but can't have driverless cars. Never mind, as we can't put a man on the moon, either, anymore.

I Should Coco · Feb 22, 2012

That's an interesting read. I'm not sure everyone's ready to give up control, though ... if you're running late, will the car break the speed limit for you? Or pass on the right the idiot cruising below the speed limit in the left lane?

There's a fine line between increased safety for all and allowing people to drive in a way that suits them, especially out here in the wide-open West.

Oh ... and as a quasi-Luddite, this part depresses the hell out of me:

For the oldest drivers, automation could become a way to keep driving longer, Belcher said. And for the youngest, car tech that lets them stay engaged with their other gadgets may eventually have more appeal than, say, stomping on the pedal of a 1970 Dodge Charger.

“They could care less about that,” he said. “They just want to play with their phone.”