Are Self Driving Cars Safe Enough Or Do You Worry About Them?

The Consumer Electronics Show, now known just as CES, is currently in full swing, with legions of auto journos mingling in ever greater numbers with fawning members of the tech press, eagerly awaiting the latest gadget designed to move the proverbial steering wheel further and further from your hands.

To some, especially self-described urbanists who take startup manufacturer predictions seriously, the words “autonomous” and “self-driving” herald a bright future filled with convenience and relaxation; to others, it’s a portent of a dystopian nanny state where human-driven vehicles have disappeared from the streets, all in the interest of safety and responsibility to your fellow man. A future where there’s ever more limitations on personal autonomy, with private car ownership singled out as a particularly problematic pastime.

TheSteve - 1/9/2018 3:04:10 PM

+3 Boost

There are no fully autonomous (Level 5) cars available on the market. Existing systems require the driver to be alert, attentive, and always ready to wrestle control back from the system if something goes wrong. They are, in fact "driver assist" systems, and not autonomous.

Unfortunately, human drivers get lulled into a false sense of security, so when something goes awry, things get bad quickly before the driver has time to collect their wits, formulate an action plan, take control, and avoid disaster.

This is why I don't use autonomous systems. Yet. And I don't worry about my car "going Christine" on me. I try to be attentive about other cars and their drivers, regardless of the cause.

SanJoseDriver - 1/10/2018 11:22:04 AM

+1 Boost

Waymo has functional Level 5 cars right now, their service may launch this year. There is a reason why Waymo (Google) is investing billions in Lyft.

PUGPROUD - 1/9/2018 6:47:00 PM

+2 Boost

Without sufficient on the road learning (from mistakes), its impossible for a programmer to anticipate every real life possibility or match a human's ability to make the proper decision in an unfamiliar circumstance. It will take time and initial Level 5 cars will still be test beds with a certain level of risk (and deaths) deemed acceptable in the name of progress. People will have a real tough time giving up complete control and trust to computers/programmers.

Hauerg - 1/10/2018 4:04:30 AM

+1 Boost

Really doubt the cars in the picture were on Autopilot.