GM To Unviel Prototype Self-Driving Car

Achán hiNidráne · 7th January 2008, 12:23 PM

Another science fiction daydream is about to come true:

Quote:

G.M.’s chief executive, Rick Wagoner, plans to unveil a prototype of a self-driving Chevrolet Tahoe sport-utility vehicle developed with the help of Carnegie Mellon University on Tuesday at the Consumer Electronics Show. The vehicle, nicknamed “Boss,” is capable of handling itself in a controlled setting like the parking lot at the Las Vegas Convention Center where G.M. is showing it off this week, but not on a regular street with obstacles like pedestrians.

The automaker expects driverless vehicle technology to be ready for testing by 2015 and in vehicles that it sells by 2018, a G.M. spokesman, Scott Fosgard, said on Sunday.

Of course, the one question remains: Which celebrity voice would you prefer for your car's onboard computer?

Majel Roddenberry...

Quote:

"Sensors indicate Muskgeo Police Department Warbirds de-cloaking off the port bow."

...William Daniels...

Quote:

"You missed the turn, Michael."
"My name is Mark, not Michael."
"Turbo boost it is, smart ass."
<WOOOOOOOOOSH!>

...or (my personal favorite), Douglas Rains?

Quote:

"Open the front passenger door, please."

"I'm sorry, Mark. I'm afraid I can't do that."

INRM · 7th January 2008, 12:52 PM

I don't want a car that can drive itself. I want to drive it, I want to be the master of it.

I certainly don't want the car able to refuse commands I give it.

mhaze · 7th January 2008, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by Mark A. Siefert

Another science fiction daydream is about to come true:

Of course, the one question remains: Which celebrity voice would you prefer for your car's onboard computer?

This is merely a morphed version of an ancient self driving propulsion system which had horsepower in discrete integer units, typically 1, 2, or 4 horsepower per vehicle. These systems operated widely and have to this day serious operational advantages over your proposed solution. Just consider the following:

Open container laws, in most of the US, prohibit drinking beer while in a motorized vehicle or even having an open can. Your proposed vehicle, even though it drives itself, could land the occupants in jail.

The aforementioned traditional alternative not only finds its way to desired locations upon spoken command (within limitations) but occupants can drink alcoholic beverages without any concern.

This essential test is failed by your new, high tech innovation, and is passed by the traditional method.

juniper_ann · 7th January 2008, 01:26 PM

I would like to have a car that drives itself. I guess I'd have to buy a laptop once I got one, though. There's not all that many things you can do in a space that's too small to stand up in and where you have to be strapped in to your seat for safety. It would basically be like taking an airplane everywhere.

I'd still like one.

juniper_ann · 7th January 2008, 01:29 PM

Originally Posted by mhaze

This is merely a morphed version of an ancient self driving propulsion system which had horsepower in discrete integer units, typically 1, 2, or 4 horsepower per vehicle. These systems operated widely and have to this day serious operational advantages over your proposed solution. Just consider the following:

Open container laws, in most of the US, prohibit drinking beer while in a motorized vehicle or even having an open can. Your proposed vehicle, even though it drives itself, could land the occupants in jail.

The aforementioned traditional alternative not only finds its way to desired locations upon spoken command (within limitations) but occupants can drink alcoholic beverages without any concern.

This essential test is failed by your new, high tech innovation, and is passed by the traditional method.

Laws can be changed, but horses peak out at 25 miles/hour. And they have to be fed, groomed, cared for when sick, cleaned up after, etc.

7th January 2008, 12:23 PM	#1
Achán hiNidráne Illuminator Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Muskego, WI. Posts: 3,979	GM To Unviel Prototype Self-Driving Car Another science fiction daydream is about to come true: Quote: G.M.’s chief executive, Rick Wagoner, plans to unveil a prototype of a self-driving Chevrolet Tahoe sport-utility vehicle developed with the help of Carnegie Mellon University on Tuesday at the Consumer Electronics Show. The vehicle, nicknamed “Boss,” is capable of handling itself in a controlled setting like the parking lot at the Las Vegas Convention Center where G.M. is showing it off this week, but not on a regular street with obstacles like pedestrians. The automaker expects driverless vehicle technology to be ready for testing by 2015 and in vehicles that it sells by 2018, a G.M. spokesman, Scott Fosgard, said on Sunday. Of course, the one question remains: Which celebrity voice would you prefer for your car's onboard computer? Majel Roddenberry... Quote: "Sensors indicate Muskgeo Police Department Warbirds de-cloaking off the port bow." ...William Daniels... Quote: "You missed the turn, Michael." "My name is Mark, not Michael." "Turbo boost it is, smart ass." <WOOOOOOOOOSH!> ...or (my personal favorite), Douglas Rains? Quote: "Open the front passenger door, please." "I'm sorry, Mark. I'm afraid I can't do that."
	__________________ "As the Corpse Lord knows, men today are ill-trained--ignoble: naught but wet anuses dribbling childish terrors and superstitions! Thus is knowledge--history, science, the world of the ancients--lost, never to be regained!" --M.A.R. Barker, "The Man of Gold" Last edited by Achán hiNidráne; 7th January 2008 at 12:25 PM.

7th January 2008, 12:52 PM	#2
INRM Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 5,490	I don't want a car that can drive itself. I want to drive it, I want to be the master of it. I certainly don't want the car able to refuse commands I give it.
INRM Philosopher Join Date: Jul 2002 Posts: 5,490

7th January 2008, 01:21 PM	#3
mhaze Penultimate Amazing Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Woo*(+-1.10)^20=AGWwoo Posts: 15,389	Originally Posted by Mark A. Siefert Another science fiction daydream is about to come true: Of course, the one question remains: Which celebrity voice would you prefer for your car's onboard computer? This is merely a morphed version of an ancient self driving propulsion system which had horsepower in discrete integer units, typically 1, 2, or 4 horsepower per vehicle. These systems operated widely and have to this day serious operational advantages over your proposed solution. Just consider the following: Open container laws, in most of the US, prohibit drinking beer while in a motorized vehicle or even having an open can. Your proposed vehicle, even though it drives itself, could land the occupants in jail. The aforementioned traditional alternative not only finds its way to desired locations upon spoken command (within limitations) but occupants can drink alcoholic beverages without any concern. This essential test is failed by your new, high tech innovation, and is passed by the traditional method.
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7th January 2008, 01:26 PM	#4
juniper_ann Critical Thinker Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 260	I would like to have a car that drives itself. I guess I'd have to buy a laptop once I got one, though. There's not all that many things you can do in a space that's too small to stand up in and where you have to be strapped in to your seat for safety. It would basically be like taking an airplane everywhere. I'd still like one.

7th January 2008, 01:29 PM	#5
juniper_ann Critical Thinker Join Date: Aug 2007 Posts: 260	Originally Posted by mhaze This is merely a morphed version of an ancient self driving propulsion system which had horsepower in discrete integer units, typically 1, 2, or 4 horsepower per vehicle. These systems operated widely and have to this day serious operational advantages over your proposed solution. Just consider the following: Open container laws, in most of the US, prohibit drinking beer while in a motorized vehicle or even having an open can. Your proposed vehicle, even though it drives itself, could land the occupants in jail. The aforementioned traditional alternative not only finds its way to desired locations upon spoken command (within limitations) but occupants can drink alcoholic beverages without any concern. This essential test is failed by your new, high tech innovation, and is passed by the traditional method. Laws can be changed, but horses peak out at 25 miles/hour. And they have to be fed, groomed, cared for when sick, cleaned up after, etc.