Google Phone Designers Reconceptualize the Future of Driving

Unless you had an dedicated lane for automated vehicles, this would never work on today's roads. Driving is not about getting from point A to point B. Its about predicting the behaviors of A$$hole drivers, to avoid disasters. Computers have a long way to go before they could do this.

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No, I think this can definitely be done. First of all we do have dedicated lane for car pools, that's sufficient. Second we have tech to do it, remember that car that can drive it self using a GPS system? We have cars that can parallel park themselves. Why is this a challenge?

The challenge is that there will also be regular drivers on the road next to these cars, there will have to be a complete overhaul on the automotive end to get all the gas powered cars off and replace them with these. They did something similar to this where they had a single lane in the middle of a long stretch of highway with cement barriers on both sides of the lane. They had 5 or 6 cars move on their own withing a foot of each other the whole way. It will be a complete change in the automotive infrastructure to implement this.
A futuristic city could use these to get around and get rid subways and drive these undergrown instead. Just think, you go to the basement to get in the car, and it gets plugs you into traffic to get around, while above ground you can walk on brick paths like the olden days.

Google? A car?
...
What will they think of next?

Ummm useless.

I prefer driving myself, and I often have to drive long distances and I don't like going slow, I often drive 90 mph, just because I enjoy the feel of speed. I can think of several others who would agree with me.

I think that 'design' is a real overstatement in this case.

This is an artist's concept -- unless there's some engineering that is not discussed in the article.

Mentioning solar panels is a nice touch, but there overall impact would likely be negligible.

I also agree that the larger problem would be integrating it into the motorway system.

This would be easy to impliment. They have already invented technology that can analyse and predict over motorists movements far better than any human can. They wouldn't even need cemented lanes as suggested. Obviously to start off with the car would have to be similar to a current car for safety and the social element (you'd look like a tool in that thing) but hopefully over time once the motorways are taken over by computer cars they can then be designed like this. In terms of ppl who like speed/driving I would suggest that it would become more of a hobby that would take place off motor ways and in specially built roads. I think a more intelligent society would select this in favour of trying to improve your social status with a fast car or getting cheap thrills from speeding.

I think the real problem is the feeling of control. If I'm gonna crash in a car I want to know that it was my fault or at least that I'm controlling my own fate. I'd be a lot more mad if google's computers totaled my car - plus liabilities would make this thing ridiculously expensive. Needless to say this is NOT the future of automobiles or driving. You want to see some good ideas for the future? google Mitchell Joachim.

hmm.....minority report anyone?
Tom cruise sitting in those maglev cars on maglev highways?

I've designed Safety Cars that are made like a wedge and can be run over by a semi-tractor with no damage to the occupants. Similar designs of 2 passenger cars and busses designed with NASCAR frames and 4 point seat belts are on the drawing board..
Any comment or possibilities of funding of my research would be greatly appreciated.