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Prior to that update, it was quite interesting. It's inevitable that the computer controlled car will get in an accident, the only question is if they are bette

Prior to that update, it was quite interesting. It's inevitable that the computer controlled car will get in an accident, the only question is if they are better or worse than humans? I can tell you one thing, they aren't driving in snow in Nevada. And while I'd gladly trust a computer on dry roads when the only things to avoid are hard objects (other cars, tress) and soft objects (people/animals), I get wary on wet or snow covered roads where you have to perceive the road surface itself very clearly.

canistr 15y ago
I'm no pilot, but how well do auto-pilots handle storms for planes? Or does the Captain manually take over control in such a case?
- artmageddon 15y ago
  Yes. Disconnecting autopilot is among the first few items a pilot does in that situation. From the AOPA Guide to In-Flight Emergencies: http://www.aopa.org/pilot/features/inflight9905.html http://www.aopa.org/pilot/features/inflight9905.html Otherwise, the plane will fight against the storm in ways that are detrimental to the flight.
artmageddon 15y ago
I imagine a computer would be able to react a lot better than a human would to a hydroplaning / icing condition since the human element of reaction times are no longer a factor, and can measure the car's dynamic forces with much greater precision. I would, however, question whether the car in its current form could get itself out of a small ditch.
- krschultz 15y ago
  I would agree that a computer reaction time is better, but it's prior to the loss of traction that is the difference. I drive a lot in the snow - I spent something like 12,000 miles last year chasing snowstorms to ski in. There are some times it is obvious traction is going to get a lot worse with changing conditions, maybe you are about to drive over a roll over into shade on a borderline freezing day, or the wind has pilied up snow in a section of the road ahead. I can recognize these situations and slow down ahead of time. I find it hard to believe that the computer vision we have today is capable of this based on my experience making autonomous vehicles. Surely they will just set it to go about 5mph the whole way for safety, but that just ignores what modern snow tires & 4 wheel drive are capable of.
  - artmageddon 15y ago
    What kind of work do you do on autonomous vehicles? I agree with all points, I just find this stuff fascinating :)

canistr 15y ago

I'm no pilot, but how well do auto-pilots handle storms for planes? Or does the Captain manually take over control in such a case?

artmageddon 15y ago
Yes. Disconnecting autopilot is among the first few items a pilot does in that situation. From the AOPA Guide to In-Flight Emergencies: http://www.aopa.org/pilot/features/inflight9905.html http://www.aopa.org/pilot/features/inflight9905.html Otherwise, the plane will fight against the storm in ways that are detrimental to the flight.

artmageddon 15y ago

I imagine a computer would be able to react a lot better than a human would to a hydroplaning / icing condition since the human element of reaction times are no longer a factor, and can measure the car's dynamic forces with much greater precision. I would, however, question whether the car in its current form could get itself out of a small ditch.

krschultz 15y ago
I would agree that a computer reaction time is better, but it's prior to the loss of traction that is the difference. I drive a lot in the snow - I spent something like 12,000 miles last year chasing snowstorms to ski in. There are some times it is obvious traction is going to get a lot worse with changing conditions, maybe you are about to drive over a roll over into shade on a borderline freezing day, or the wind has pilied up snow in a section of the road ahead. I can recognize these situations and slow down ahead of time. I find it hard to believe that the computer vision we have today is capable of this based on my experience making autonomous vehicles. Surely they will just set it to go about 5mph the whole way for safety, but that just ignores what modern snow tires & 4 wheel drive are capable of.
- artmageddon 15y ago
  What kind of work do you do on autonomous vehicles? I agree with all points, I just find this stuff fascinating :)