California approves limited testing of self-driving cars without wheels or backup drivers
Califonia Governor Jerry Brown on Thursday signed a bill allowing self-driving vehicles to be tested in the state without manual controls or human backup drivers, in a move that could aid Apple's own efforts in the field.
The new rules apply only to a pilot project by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, being run at GoMentum Station -- formerly the Concord Naval Weapons Station -- and at a business park in San Ramon.
Companies like Honda and Otto Motors are currently testing self-driving vehicles at GoMontenum, and the CCTA has said that both Apple and Google have expressed interest in doing likewise.
While self-driving cars are in testing around the U.S., and even in real-world service in Pittsburgh, these have generally kept steering wheels and backup drivers, owing to both existing laws and concerns about the technology's imperfections. At some point, though, self-driving cars will have to operate independently, for instance allowing ride-hailing services to ditch most of their human workforce. Carmakers have shown off concepts that remove the standard cockpit for more interior space.
The exact state of Apple's self-driving initiative -- known as Project Titan -- is uncertain. Under new head Bob Mansfield the project is thought to be focused purely on self-driving systems, rather than building a full-fledged car. At the same time, contract manufacturer Magna Steyr is believed to have about a dozen engineers working with Apple, and the iPhone maker is rumored to be interested in buying self-balancing motorcycle startup Lit Motors.
The new rules apply only to a pilot project by the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, being run at GoMentum Station -- formerly the Concord Naval Weapons Station -- and at a business park in San Ramon.
Companies like Honda and Otto Motors are currently testing self-driving vehicles at GoMontenum, and the CCTA has said that both Apple and Google have expressed interest in doing likewise.
While self-driving cars are in testing around the U.S., and even in real-world service in Pittsburgh, these have generally kept steering wheels and backup drivers, owing to both existing laws and concerns about the technology's imperfections. At some point, though, self-driving cars will have to operate independently, for instance allowing ride-hailing services to ditch most of their human workforce. Carmakers have shown off concepts that remove the standard cockpit for more interior space.
The exact state of Apple's self-driving initiative -- known as Project Titan -- is uncertain. Under new head Bob Mansfield the project is thought to be focused purely on self-driving systems, rather than building a full-fledged car. At the same time, contract manufacturer Magna Steyr is believed to have about a dozen engineers working with Apple, and the iPhone maker is rumored to be interested in buying self-balancing motorcycle startup Lit Motors.
Comments
Talk about zero -- no, negative -- design taste.
Since roundabouts are not common around these parts in the US (I'm in San Francisco - maybe like this in all areas of the US?), it can be quite comical watching clueless and under informed human drivers negotiating around these obstacles under normal conditions. Some think that once they've entered the roundabout that they have full legal and moral authority to just blow around the roundabout without any regard to other drivers trying to merge in while other drivers timidly wait for an opening as if it's a multi cornered stop situation where everyone politely waits their turn.
The other day I saw a driverless car stop in the middle of the roundabout due to congestion - it was playing it safe because I'm guessing the car in front, who snuck in, violated the driverless car's safe space, but then immediately the cars behind the driverless car all started honking their horns and yelling at the driverless car to get moving. Now, under ordinary circumstances with human drivers, everyone would have easily just made the necessary space adjustments and moved on ahead, but the driverless car was erring on the safe side and slowed down to almost a stop.
These sorts of things may get worked out in the end, but I suspect that human drives will have to learn to chill out and drive a little safer around driverless cars when they do become omnipresent. Aggressive driving will not be programmed into these cars. Seems like a lot of human drivers - especially A type drivers will need to learn new tactics in order to 'win'.
Would you rather be sitting in :
a) your own personal, hygienic home bathroom or;
b) on some convenient albeit septic, herpes-infested public toilet seat?
I bet people will prefer their own self-driving cars.
Aside from that, I'd rather fly in my own private jet than on an airline. Cost and practicality has a part to play though; in cities parking space carries a premium.