[Sci/Tech] Cars are approaching ‘auto’ pilot mode

[Scary Nachos]

When it comes to driving, human beings have an appalling safety record. According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, more than 2.35 million people were injured in car accidents last year in the United States. That’s a breathtaking statistic until you consider that 37,261 others were killed — and that’s the lowest number since 1961.

But a new breed of prototype automobile can drive without the help of unreliable humans, and major car companies are paying attention.

In 2007, the federal government’s Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency sponsored the Urban Challenge. Corporate-sponsored teams from all over the nation retrofitted regular cars with sensors and artificial intelligence, transforming them into fully autonomous ground vehicles. Eleven finalists unleashed their driverless cars on a peaceful mock city where they proved capable of obeying traffic signals while merging, passing and parking.

For the entire article, go here

[Varine]

Reminds me of iRobot....

[Azlier]

Autopilot cars could go lots faster safely.

[ToolTipError]

STOP MAKING HUMANS LAZIER.

We can't even move our hands in a car?

[ReVolver]

Originally Posted by Azlier

Autopilot cars could go lots faster safely.

So now I can drive and hit people and hit other cars and blame the autopilot...

[ElderKingpin]

:/ well.... i guess i could just have my baby brother drive the car o.O

[Avaleirra]

I wouldn't trust it. But then again, I just got my L so I don't really trust myself either... :/

[DDRtists]

I wouldn't ever buy an autopilot car, I enjoy driving my cars/bikes kthx.

[Smith_S9]

I also enjoy driving my car . I would buy one though, if it comes with manual mode too. Sometimes I might be busy doing something while on road or just too tired or maybe drunk . And when there's no special situation, just driving the car manually. This is mostly for those traffic retards, really xD.

[FireCat]

Originally Posted by ToolTipError

We can't even move our hands in a car?

Yeah, that's dangerous!

Well, I wouldn't buy It either and yeah, what happens if autopilot, shut it down suddenly?

[Romek]

Most people drive cars for more reasons that just getting from A to B. Autopilot isn't fun.

[tom_mai78101]

w

WOOOO......(at 60 miles per hour...)

Look at me, Jeff, no hands!! No feet!! Oh, and wake me up when we arrive at our destination, okay?

Besides, it's 2 in the morning, we better sleep and let this car take us here.

[Rapmaster]

Sounds llike a good replacement for taxis and mass transit

[tom_mai78101]

But not enough for many people to afford it, so taxis and mass transit are still essential.

[Azlier]

Let's just have plastic slides going everywhere. And elevators to get you high enough to slide from A to B.

Wheeee!