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Is there progress being made on letting cars self-drive on unmarked and dirt roads? I imagine that would be important for users in less developed areas.

by Tarq0n 9y ago

olyjohn 9y ago
Sounds like it would be a good step to take before taking on snowy roads. The conditions are pretty similar with low traction, no markings, People driving in opposite directions having to figure out a way around eachother when the road narrows... At least you wouldn't have to deal with the actual cold temps and snow and ice. Traction would be more consistent on gravel vs snowy and icy roads too.
eco 9y ago
The first two DARPA Grand Challenges took place on dirt roads. Well maintained dirt roads but dirt roads nonetheless.
- ghaff 9y ago
  Well-graded dirt roads in good weather aren't really challenging other than not having lane markers. (Which is pretty much a trivial issue for a human.) Maybe you need to slow down a bit if it gets washboardy. The challenge is as roads get narrower (<2 cars), rougher, etc. to the point where you really need high-clearance 4WD and may even have to deal with washouts, etc. I don't expect you'll see autonomous driving systems get here for many decades if only because it's not worthwhile to do so and so much is dependent on evaluating the current conditions on the ground.
  - eco 9y ago
    Just an aside but you actually want to do the counterintuitive thing and speed up on washboardy roads (provided it is safe to do so). Higher speed means your vehicle won't have time to be pulled down into dips letting you ride smoothly supported by the peaks.
stevenwoo 9y ago
The video in the top voted sub comment (now) shows the Tesla unable to navigate a two lane suburban road safely for long with the youtube comments/excuses saying it's an early release of non highway software (2017). I don't know anything about it technically but that is not particularly confidence inspiring.

Is there progress being made on letting cars self-drive on unmarked and dirt roads? I imagine that would be important for users in less developed areas.

by Tarq0n 9y ago

Is there progress being made on letting cars self-drive on unmarked and dirt roads? I imagine that would be important for users in less developed areas.

olyjohn 9y ago

Sounds like it would be a good step to take before taking on snowy roads. The conditions are pretty similar with low traction, no markings, People driving in opposite directions having to figure out a way around eachother when the road narrows... At least you wouldn't have to deal with the actual cold temps and snow and ice. Traction would be more consistent on gravel vs snowy and icy roads too.

eco 9y ago

The first two DARPA Grand Challenges took place on dirt roads. Well maintained dirt roads but dirt roads nonetheless.

ghaff 9y ago
Well-graded dirt roads in good weather aren't really challenging other than not having lane markers. (Which is pretty much a trivial issue for a human.) Maybe you need to slow down a bit if it gets washboardy. The challenge is as roads get narrower (<2 cars), rougher, etc. to the point where you really need high-clearance 4WD and may even have to deal with washouts, etc. I don't expect you'll see autonomous driving systems get here for many decades if only because it's not worthwhile to do so and so much is dependent on evaluating the current conditions on the ground.
- eco 9y ago
  Just an aside but you actually want to do the counterintuitive thing and speed up on washboardy roads (provided it is safe to do so). Higher speed means your vehicle won't have time to be pulled down into dips letting you ride smoothly supported by the peaks.

stevenwoo 9y ago

The video in the top voted sub comment (now) shows the Tesla unable to navigate a two lane suburban road safely for long with the youtube comments/excuses saying it's an early release of non highway software (2017). I don't know anything about it technically but that is not particularly confidence inspiring.