The next wave of computer crashes?

[pbray]

Google received the first driverless license permit in Nevada. Yes, it's a self-driving car, no human required.

While I understand that most accidents are caused by human error, and I'm not entirely comfortable sharing the road with AuthenticHuman-SurfingWeb-TalkingOnPhone-LookingatGPSNavScreen-WhileDoing80mph, I can't help thinking about how often my computer freezes and crashes. Not to mention all those great GPS-aided accidents as drivers blindly follow GPS instructions to drive into lakes, down staricases, on closed roads, etc.

Comments

[elven-wolf.livejournal.com]

In 2012, I suppose it's not a flying car, but it will do.

Now, Google and the scientific community at large, you have three years to give me a damn hoverboard! (I don't care if it's the pink Barbie model.)

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Jetpacks!

[califmole.livejournal.com]

As someone who used to work in the AI field... just say no.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Hee!

[icedrake.livejournal.com]

We probably shouldn't dwell on the percentage of time passenger jets spend being flown by computer :)
I have a friend who worked in Alcatel's TAS (train automation systems) division. Their project life cycle was roughly a decade long, mostly due to safety testing. The point I'm trying to make is, self-piloting vehicles are already here and have been for a number of years if not decades. It's just that until now they've been largely hidden from the public and our generally poor ability to assess risk probabilities.

Personally, while I'd be nervous as hell about getting into a self-driving car right now, I'm not sure I'd be any less nervous about having to drive through DC traffic. Or having to share the road with cabs and furniture trucks in Manhattan (we almost lost a kid or two to those when my class went on a trip to NYC).

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Agree that a self-driving car isn't necessarily more dangerous than other driving situations. But as someone who owned a car that was recalled for a software upgrade in order to correct stalling issues, it will be a while before I'd get in to an entirely software controlled car.

[mtlawson.livejournal.com]

I'm thinking of the virii and other assorted malware that could cause.... issues.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

Yeah.

[libwitch.livejournal.com]

in googles defense, they apparently did some fairly lengthy test drives in traffic, accident free. And if it did work, I have to admit, I would much rather see this on the road then some drivers I have seen on the road lately. Including on my drive upi95 today....


But all that said, I TOTALLY agree with you.

[pbray.livejournal.com]

I'd need to see the override capability before I'd be on board with it. And yeah, I-95 isn't fun at all.