4 ms·

Is the implication here that pedestrians will simply walk into the street at random and the AIs will handle that? I find myself a little uncomfortable at the th

Is the implication here that pedestrians will simply walk into the street at random and the AIs will handle that? I find myself a little uncomfortable at the thought, and I'm fairly enthusiastic about driverless cars for most of the reasons you stated.

jaggederest 13y ago
Yes, that's precisely what happens. You'll be given a safe berth, with cars stopping or avoiding you by at least the distance you could conceivably fall over. Personally that's already how I cross the street, and my confidence in human drivers isn't anywhere near so great.
- saraid216 13y ago
  Hm. There is a thing currently where it's socially unacceptable not to cross at a crosswalk, and also to stop in the middle of the road. Some people are still jerks, but they're rare. I could easily see a bunch of kids deciding they'll go challenge the AI by dancing in the middle of a crowded street. Admittedly a millionth chance occurrence though. "Computer, take a picture, get me facial recognition, and report them to their parents."
  - 001sky 13y ago
    civil disobedience will be met with ruthless violence. other than that, i have no concerns.
- dredmorbius 13y ago
  With human drivers you're given a notion of whether or not they've seen you (they're looking in your direction, the vehicle is slowing, they're motioning at you to cross or get out of the way, or honking at you). The situation is somewhat deterministic. Not perfect by a long shot, but unless automatic vehicles offer some similar pedestrian signaling capability, there will be issues. There's also the question of what happens, say, when a vehicle is surrounded by a crowd of people with ill intent. This happens: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Motorcycle-Gang-Attack-Dad-Toddler-Range-Rover-Manhattan-225817761.html http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Motorcycle-Gang-Attack-...
  - omegaworks 13y ago
    >unless automatic vehicles offer some similar pedestrian signaling capability, there will be issues. Working on it. http://www.technologyreview.com/view/427743/how-do-you-know-an-autonomous-vehicle-has-seen-you/ http://www.technologyreview.com/view/427743/how-do-you-know-...
  - growupkids 13y ago
    Or what happens if the vehicle is operating with malicious intent.
jhardcastle 13y ago
It is frightening to watch, but the math seems to be somewhat straighforward. http://vimeo.com/37751380 http://vimeo.com/37751380
- enko 13y ago
  That's an interesting video. I'd quite like to know if it's being coordinated "from above", or whether the cars are making their own decisions - the latter would be rather more impressive, since I think a fully managed road system is much further off, if not an impossibility.

jaggederest 13y ago

Yes, that's precisely what happens. You'll be given a safe berth, with cars stopping or avoiding you by at least the distance you could conceivably fall over. Personally that's already how I cross the street, and my confidence in human drivers isn't anywhere near so great.

saraid216 13y ago
Hm. There is a thing currently where it's socially unacceptable not to cross at a crosswalk, and also to stop in the middle of the road. Some people are still jerks, but they're rare. I could easily see a bunch of kids deciding they'll go challenge the AI by dancing in the middle of a crowded street. Admittedly a millionth chance occurrence though. "Computer, take a picture, get me facial recognition, and report them to their parents."
- 001sky 13y ago
  civil disobedience will be met with ruthless violence. other than that, i have no concerns.
dredmorbius 13y ago
With human drivers you're given a notion of whether or not they've seen you (they're looking in your direction, the vehicle is slowing, they're motioning at you to cross or get out of the way, or honking at you). The situation is somewhat deterministic. Not perfect by a long shot, but unless automatic vehicles offer some similar pedestrian signaling capability, there will be issues. There's also the question of what happens, say, when a vehicle is surrounded by a crowd of people with ill intent. This happens: http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Motorcycle-Gang-Attack-Dad-Toddler-Range-Rover-Manhattan-225817761.html http://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/Motorcycle-Gang-Attack-...
- omegaworks 13y ago
  >unless automatic vehicles offer some similar pedestrian signaling capability, there will be issues. Working on it. http://www.technologyreview.com/view/427743/how-do-you-know-an-autonomous-vehicle-has-seen-you/ http://www.technologyreview.com/view/427743/how-do-you-know-...
- growupkids 13y ago
  Or what happens if the vehicle is operating with malicious intent.

jhardcastle 13y ago

It is frightening to watch, but the math seems to be somewhat straighforward. http://vimeo.com/37751380 http://vimeo.com/37751380

enko 13y ago
That's an interesting video. I'd quite like to know if it's being coordinated "from above", or whether the cars are making their own decisions - the latter would be rather more impressive, since I think a fully managed road system is much further off, if not an impossibility.