Topic: Auto Tech: Nissan Autonomous Drive Leaf

[Autos_Editor]

Paul takes a ride in the Autonomous Drive Nissan Leaf and reports on the prospects of this advancing technology.

Read More...

[JohnM]

This technology can't work in a snowstorm and probably not with any snow on the road.  Fascinating though.  And for the clones in city traffic every day, it could really cut down commute time when the cars start talking to each other and to the traffic control system.

I'd rather see this effort devoted to making a very lightweight electric car with superb handling derived from having 4 hub motors for absolute performance optimization potential.

Cheers,
John M.

[tpl]

Maybe the effort should be devoted to   Weather control to get rid of the snow on the roads. then these vehicles could work.   

 I think the main problem is the fleet turnover would have to be shortened to get autonomous and communicating cars on the road faster once it is decided the technology is ok.   This would either kill the auto industry as everybody stopped buying cars until they were ready or leave a decade gap with lots of cars on the roads but not being able to use the technology.

[canuckystan]

This will be an environmental triumph.  Most air pollution is caused by idling cars and stop and go traffic.  If these cars can reduce traffic jams by talking to each other, air quality will improve, as will overall real mpg's on the commute.  Not to mention reducing gridlock.  I'd gladly give up the "enjoyment" of driving in exchange for actually getting places a lot faster with less pollution and less risk of being hit by a distracted driver.

We bike commuters could use an autonomous bike however

[miatii]

"I must admit, this has kind of crept up on me."

Google has been designing, converting and testing autonomous cars - called Google Chauffeur -  for several years now, going back to 2009.  They have six Toyota Prius's, an Audi TT, and three Lexus RX450h's.  In August Google had completed 500,000 miles accident free.  I believe the majority of kilometers were completed in California driving in major cities.

They are reportedly also testing a taxi - Robo Taxi.

[EV Dan]

I think it's good if we get more autonomous cars and less distracted ppl who shouldn't be behind the wheel in the first place. These cars will be tuned to avoid accidents as their top priority. So even if you cut it off by an inch it will just slow down and not engage in a road rage fit. Same will go for the case of two cars trying to change into the same lane. The one with a driver will always win 

[Fobroader]

Nope, this is a step in the wrong direction......

[mixmanmash]

Nope, this is a step in the wrong direction......

I agree.  Skynet is coming for us...

[JohnM]

"I agree.  Skynet is coming for us..."

Don't you read the papers?  It's already here.  Don't worry about backing up your files, if your hard drive crashes, just call the NSA or CSIS for copies.

Robots are superfluous.  But don't tell them I said that.

Cheers,
John M.

[mixmanmash]

"I agree.  Skynet is coming for us..."

Don't you read the papers?  It's already here.  Don't worry about backing up your files, if your hard drive crashes, just call the NSA or CSIS for copies.

Robots are superfluous.  But don't tell them I said that.

Cheers,
John M.

It was a joke.  I know they are already there.

[EV Dan]

"I agree.  Skynet is coming for us..."

Don't you read the papers?  It's already here.  Don't worry about backing up your files, if your hard drive crashes, just call the NSA or CSIS for copies.

Robots are superfluous.  But don't tell them I said that.

Cheers,
John M.

It was a joke.  I know they are already there.

The gobment (at least south the border) must have a back door in every piece of software sold or used there, by law.
Now remember those paparazzi in princess Diana case? Guess what, there will be no need for them and there will be no-one to blame. An autonomous car software had malfunctioned. End of story. 

[tortoise]

Great Wired article about the google cars.  It's almost two years old now so things must have only improved.

http://www.wired.com/magazine/2012/01/ff_autonomouscars/