RE: Self-Driving Cars are Here... to Stay

clem57 — Sat, 02 Apr 2016 03:19:00 GMT

The folks that write these are more dreamers than technologists. Facts gotten to support their ideas without a meaningful look at society today. The hard thing to figure when is science a benefit or a solution looking for the problem.

Clem

RE: Self-Driving Cars are Here... to Stay

rscasny — Fri, 01 Apr 2016 18:58:45 GMT

I vehemently disagree with the conclusions stated in this article. I mean, where should are start debunking the opinions?

Let's start with Japan. the article states 1/3 of the population is over 60 (elderly) so the demand for self-driving cars is there. Well, an older population will always be a shrinking demographic (unless cryogenics keeps us alive for centuries AND you can defrost someone at absolute zero -270C in minutes!). Talk to a marketer and she or he will probably say, market to the young and build a generation of return customers.

Granted, I think there is a market for self-driving transportation for the sick or the elderly. But what about a 16-year old. One thing engineers and product dreamers often forget is that many human activities are not utility in nature; rather, they provide an important culture purpose such as a "coming of age" ritual. And in America, getting your driver's license at 16 is a big coming of age thing. Why? Imagine a 16 year old guy asking his high school sweetheart out for the first time in a self-driving car? (Oh Betty Lou, how about taking a spin in my new self-driving car?) That's why being in control of a car is more than a mobility device:

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(The above photo is from American Grafitti.)

Let me get serious now. Let's talk about Chicago and cars. If you have a car in Chicago, your big concern is not driving; rather, it is parking. So, let's go back to the future and talk about the year of the winter vortex:

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Let the innovators from Silicon Valley figure out how to get a bunch of self driving cars out of this mess -- an accidental driving turned parking nightmare on Lake Shore Drive due to a wild snowstorm.

Take a look around where you live. I'm sure you have seen these:

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What in the world would some drive this monster in chicago where gas costs the most and the truck is too big to get around? My friends, this is what I call an ego truck. Our ego and self-identity is often intertwined with the vehicles we drive. No one will give up the driving to a computer if they own an ego F150 truck unless they are forced to by gov regulation.