US Wants To Spend $4 Billion To Take YOU Out Of the Driver's Seat - How Do You Feel About That?

Speaking purely from an emotional perspective: I *LOVE* driving my car. This is true, in spite of me knowing that I risk causing an accident and possibly injuring myself and others, or arguably worse, being involved in an incident through no fault of my own.

I also acknowledge that it's theoretically possible to create driving systems that eliminate, or virtually eliminate accidents and system failures that result in injury or damage to property (though I believe we're still a long way off from this at this time). I also acknowledge these systems could theoretically eliminate traffic violations, reduce traffic congestion, and make our species more resources efficient.

Even so, as irrational as my preference might be, I still *LOVE* driving my car, and I don't look forward to the possibility that an autonomous driving system will take that away. Just my two cents.

Theoretically, yes. Practically these systems were thought of, designed, implemented, and will be used by humans, and humans are rather flawed beings. Is separating the human from the controls the only way to make vehicle transport safer or is that exactly the problem?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5UBdrMTxsvs

Beware of unintended consequences...they are there but maybe not yet visible. Will you let your teenage daughter go out on a date with a young man who has an autonomously driven car...what, just asking. How will you feel when an accident is unavoidable and your car kills a mother and child rather than hit a bus full of seniors...for the greater good? When car sharing is the norm the next time you call for one it might not be up to your cleanliness standards...recall the last public bathroom you were in. What will be the cost to you when car sharing becomes so prevalent that the government decides that its a basic human right like cell phones today ? Just asking.

Good questions.

The folks that regard cars as "transportation machines" will love autonomous cars. Those of us that like Cars and Driving will resist.

Hopefully Prius drivers will be the first to abandon their cars, and in the process, free up the passing lanes and lessen the effect they have of slowing down traffic.

If the government wants to give me $4 billion dollars to buy and use an autonomous car - I might consider it. The question is - will the rest of you follow suit when you get nothing for it?

Outlaw autonomous vehicles.

Look for the positives, the aftermarket can respond with mods to enable speeding and reckless modes, but will out perform your own driving. Maybe allowing you to work the controls like a video game but saving you from crashes.

Sorry but any performance/software changes to autonomous driven cars will cancel your insurance. There are earth shaking changes coming to our world from autonomous driven cars. The opportunities will be great to reduce costs but in the interim there will be much pain and dislocation. Consider...1) Manufacturers will self insure as an industry pushing current car insurers out of the market with many people loosing their jobs. 2) Aftermarket manufactures will not be legally allowed to make performance or software changes except for interior/exterior cosmetic products putting many people out of work. 3)Truck drivers, limo drivers,bus drivers etc will loose their jobs. 4) All service on autonomous cars will have to be done at dealerships putting local service stations out of business. etc etc The changes to our society and workforce will be dramatic. Until it completely sorts out millions of displaced people will have to be retrained or carried on the public dole. There will be big changes, lots of pain and great opportunities. Remember the Chinese curse "May you live in interesting times!"
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Self driving cars are fine. They'll reduce the number of accidents and improve traffic flow. That said, there should be a manual mode for people who enjoy driving.