3 ms·

Can they simulate a hurricane?

• jacquesm 9y ago
  They don't have to simulate one, merely reliably detect one and then refuse to drive. One of the most important lessons drilled into new drivers is that the best way to avoid accidents is to know when not to drive, self driving cars should not be an exception to that rule. If you are going to attempt to drive in hurricane you are essentially committing suicide, your best cause of action is to find a safe place to weather the storm. And if you really want to drive a self driving car might give you the option to override the safeties but those should only be used in actual emergencies, not just to putter around in really bad and possibly dangerous weather. The same goes for dense fog, flooding and other situations where normal driving is no longer possible and/or responsible.
  • jvolkman 9y ago
    And Waymo has already said that its cars will safely pull over when the weather gets too rough.
    • jpindar 9y ago
      So during each winter storm, the roads will be lined with cars full of people freezing to death (literally) because their cars decided they can't drive home. And people trying to walk (in the roadway) to shelter, which isn't much safer.
      • bluGill 9y ago
        Most cars can stay warm for several days just running the engine at idle. Assuming you get enough fresh air (not always a given in a snow storm that can block air vents) stopping and just running the engine for heat is safe unless your fuel tank is low - which it shouldn't be.
        • jacquesm 9y ago
          Electric cars can't.