Volvo Takes Next Step in Driverless Future

A follow on to the video and story we first presented in November 2010. This is the first practical demonstration of the driverless technology.
TheAutoChannel.com has the complete story.

Category:

Autos & Vehicles

Tags:

• Future
• technology
• driving
• volvo
• safety
• hands free
• driverless
• cars
• automobiles
• vehicles

[1bentley4ever]

Let's just hope the lead driver isn't drunk or a bad driver. But what's so wrong with a high speed train? Maybe a system which allows the driver to take control of the car after a certain point?

[TheAutoChannel]

@1bentley4ever

If you refer back to the earlier video and story we did on thins in November you'll note that they are planning on doing just what you siggest: the vehicle joins the train under the driver's control but when the vehicle reaches its point of exit the driver resumes control and moves out. Once off the highway the driver drives the vehicle normally.

[EgaoNoGenki]

Legal hurdles with cars going driverless - well, 100 years ago, didn't we have the same hurdles when it came to sharing the road with horses?

Some business owners whose livelihood much involved horses would have lobbied local governments to restrict cars somehow lest they lose it. But they learned to retool and adapt to work with the cars.

[Xrobx6000X]

So what if the lead truck needs to get in another lane? Then all the cars behind it are gonna follow the truck. It's hard enough for these large trucks to move over a lane, now with 8 cars behind the truck?

[juanpablofx]

@alexebox I think this is more of a highway type driving situation. But that does raise the question about accidents, flat tires, engine/ mechanical problems, and differences in fuel capacity and how to refuel. I'm sure they are figuring all that out, though.

[1bentley4ever]

@TheAutoChannel I did not see that previous video. But imagine driving up onto the main long motorway and joining in on a roadtrain and then being able to wade out stress of traffic to read a book or go over business documents, and then when it is your stop, break off from the train and drive to where you want to go. This seems like an amazing idea I think will catch on.

[alexebox]

What happens at a red light that turns red as the middle of the train passes the intersection? Or a pedestrian cross? Or an emergency vehicle with its sirens on appears?