Self-driving cars and other vehicles (even RVs!) are becoming more and more popular. Maybe you’ve had your own experience where you’re driving down the highway only to look over and see the car next to you driving itself. Maybe the “driver” is even taking a nap!
If you had the chance to ride in a self-driving vehicle for a little joy ride, would you go? If so, would you be excited to try it out or would it take a lot of conniving for you to try? Or would you never, ever hop into one to try?
Tell us in the poll, then please leave a comment explaining your answer. Thanks!
My wife has a 2023 Kia Sportage. If you keep your hand on the steering wheel lightly. The car will drive down the road steering it’s self. The reason you have to keep hands on steering wheel lightly is because it will beep a warning. To let you know to keep hands on steering wheel. I don’t recommend doing it without being aware of the situation. Anything electronic can go haywire at anytime.
My Toyota Camry will do the same thing, I can have my hand resting in my lap and just laying a finger on the steering wheel it will keep itself between the lane lines, with the adaptive cruise control I guess it would do that the entire length of a trip. I just don’t trust it that much. I will say it’s making me more aware of staying in my lane.
Sounds like they need to install that system on golf carts. lol
As long as it has liability insurance for failure mode. And, a “kill” switch.
Here in FL old drivers are bad enough, and yes I am 79. These people can’t even get a 4’ wide golf cart into a 9’ wide parking place without being out of the lines. It’s no wonder insurance rates are enormous here.
Self-driving vehicles will be a huge safety improvement for those folks.
I would only do it if I was in the Drivers Seat and the vehicle had a Steering Wheel and Brake & Throttle controls. Otherwise, it will have to be on tracks. Electronics can and will fail. Think of how many times you have to reboot your computer or phone.
Our exact thoughts, and too many outside hazards.
I would try it – only on an enclosed course for demo only. Self driving cars do NOT mix with humans on highways. How many deaths have we read about where a Tesla owner used the self-driving option and gave up control of the car – and his life, in a crash? And they’re pushing for self driving big rigs?
I would also do it only on an enclosed area that is set with normal driving conditions and obstacles.Too many instances where these vehicles did not recognize pedestrians, bicycles and motorcycles.
Biggest problem is the time it takes for human intervention, not paying attention, if the vehicle doesn’t react to the obstacle.
Some of these comments should elicit a new poll: would you go for a ride in one of those new-fangled horseless carriages?
Heck no I wouldn’t get in one of those new horseless carriages. If I got lost it would not get me home like a horse would. Horses finding their way home – original GPS. They don’t run out of gas or batteries either.
In my opinion self driving vehicles are not ready for prime time. I put them in the same category as electronic fences for dogs. They do the job for the driver (and dog), but do nothing to protect against threats from the outside. Self driving vehicles for not have situational awareness.
They only have to be better than humans, and that’s not a really high bar 😉
👍
In a word, simply stated NO
Our new RAV-4 has a hands free mode for a short period of time. It seems be designed to control your vehicle if you doze off. I can leave my hands off the wheel for about 20-30 seconds and it will steer the car and then alarm to put my hands back on the wheel. If I leave my hands just slightly on the steering wheel it will steer all day.
Do I trust it to take complete control? HECK NO! Would I drive in a totally hands free car? HECK NO! Do I want to be driving down the road with autonomous vehicles? HECK NO!
Maybe. Depends where and with who. Certainly not in a busy traffic area. Would have to trust the person and they would have to assure me how they could quickly retain control if something were to happen. Son had a Tesla S. Beautiful car. Fun. Fast. When Covid hit and he had to work from home and not commute 60 miles round trip, sold it and bought a Ford Raptor😂. Worked out well. Recently moved from CA to TX.😊
Probably not it’s a control issue. I really want to know someone is in control of the vehicle. Van just imagine someone on a computer taking control. I don’t have 100% faith in technology at this age. Still live the “if it’s not broke don’t fix it”.
Absoleutly Not!
Sure, it can’t scare me any worse than one of my old boyfriends
Maybe you should get some younger boyfriends…
😆 Good one, Gary! Have a great day! 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
I would take a ride in one but the technology is to the point I would rely on one much less consider it a necessary means of transportation.
Yes but, someone needs to be at the wheel to take over if needed!
nope, not ready for prime time use. I don’t like smart driving technology I have in my subaru that tries brake if it thinks it sees something in front of the car…too many false reactions. Lane maintaining function does not like it when you go into a curve and hug the white lines either. When the time comes that I can not drive competently enough, I do not want a nanny car to take over.
Looking forward to the day.
On a major RV forum I frequent there has been a lot of discussion on the failures of collision avoidance systems on motorhomes. Most are related to the units literally slamming on the brakes because the system thinks it sees an imminent collision that isn’t there. Some have asked for removal or disconnection of the optional systems and are told it is not possible. That’s just one part of a driverless system. How do they handle snow and ice coating the sensors? How do they do in complex construction areas? I’m talking true driverless vehicles…no ability for human intervention. Those are not common but are coming. No steering wheel, throttle, or brake controls. What about newly constructed roads with no lines painted yet?
In the famous words of “Engineer Scott” in Star Trek, “The more complex they make the plumbing the easier it is to stop up the drain!”
At this time in development, only on a closed track.
I would take a ride in a self-driving vehicle as long as I could grab the wheel, hit the brakes, etc. if needed in an emergency.
I was just telling my wife, The American motorist is not going to accept the self-driving vehicle because the vehicle will obey all the traffic laws. There will not be any speeding, rapid switching of lanes, tailgating, or making a left turn from the right lane, etc.
Self driving cars in their current state of development, no. But, they’ve gone from idea to testbed on public roads in a decade – imagine where they will be in another decade, or even two.
I rented a car with lane and forward spacing control. I didn’t trust it and turned it off after I had to fight it a couple times. I would like to have rear/blind spot warning though.
No! Just go to Chandler Arizona and see the terrible Waymo self driving cars nearly hit you in your car! The number of terrible accidents are worth this stupid concept! Twice we barely avoided those cars hitting us as they driving over three lanes to make a turn! No way!
In a controlled or demo course I would, but not on a city street.
Probably safer than riding with some of my family.😁😁😁
already did. Rode to work (Slug..it’s a DC thing…) in a Tesla and the driver had the driver assist on. it drove and handled exactly as I would have in those conditions. not a problem at all. Just remember to stay involved.
I do often as I own a Tesla. Just have to remember to stay involved and ready to take over! Great car and I love it. It isn’t the answer to fossil fuel cars! To charge every car in the US if they were all electric isn’t possible. Also all these claims about the other manufacturing companies switching to all electric by 2035 isn’t possible. Our electric grid will never be ready to support that demand by that time. Also remember that only Tesla’s can charge at Tesla charging stations. Also there are 3 different levels of charging stations and the ones you see at various locations such as grocery stores that aren’t Tesla’s are only level 2 stations and you could sit there for 8 – 10 hours to get a complete charge.
We have a family member who has a Tesla and he showed us this wonderful car with all the perks! Enjoy Stay Safe
Having worked on avionics software and all the testing and verification we have to go through for the software took about 20 years before it was safe to fly a lot of the systems. I saw a lot of articles about lack of testing and no safety backups in the auto industry. No way this is ready for prime time, just waiting for the first major accident
Yes, but I wouldn’t pay Elon Musk a nickel for the experience.
There would have to be a back-up driver sitting at the steering wheel able to over-ride the car if anything goes awry. Only then would I be willing to take a ride in such a vehicle.
Lawyers are busy printing their business cards……and I’ll bet very few lawyers will be riding in a car that is controlled by software than cannot judge the difference between a dog on the shoulder of the road, and a child crossing the road. NOT for me!!
My answer is, literally, not on my life!
Around town as long as I’m behind the wheel to take control if need be.