Mar 31, 2018 11:08 PM
Some things may have been changed to protect the innocent (or guilty).
I have an old friend I keep in touch with via annual phone calls. Many years ago we were 'in' (road) traffic together so not unpredictably the last phone call touched on the subject of cars that drive themselves. He said they could never work on English roads (partly) on account of the pure selfishness of English drivers - if they knew a car had to give way to them they'd play chicken with it knowing they'd win every time - also the vagaries of the English road system.
The discussion turned less than academic when we agreed to meet and he reversed into the parking space in an Alset, As one with fairly strong views about motors and motorists I felt obliged to agree to a simulation of the Alset on a test track not dissimilar to a typical English road. With all the enthusiasm of one keen to show off amazing technology he suggested heading out to the nearest (simulated) dual carriageway. and with all my usual enthusiasm for motoring I suggested the shortest possible (simulated) route during which it might be possible to demonstrate the technology.
The Alset (unlike an actual autonomous automobile) goes 'Bing' when you switch to autonomous mode - after the Bing you can watch a screen which shows where the Alset thinks the road is. If the Alset isn't sure where the road is it goes 'Bong' and (in this case) gently turned in the direction of the (simulated) hedge at the side of the road. Reassured that the technology hadn't taken us into the path of the oncoming (simulated) traffic we carried on. 'Bing' and all was well until 'bong' and we took a sharp right into the (simulated) hedge - saved only by the quick reactions of the (human) driver. The offer of a demonstration in fast (simulated) traffic was withdrawn and we (in the simulation) returned to base under human control.
I have an old friend I keep in touch with via annual phone calls. Many years ago we were 'in' (road) traffic together so not unpredictably the last phone call touched on the subject of cars that drive themselves. He said they could never work on English roads (partly) on account of the pure selfishness of English drivers - if they knew a car had to give way to them they'd play chicken with it knowing they'd win every time - also the vagaries of the English road system.
The discussion turned less than academic when we agreed to meet and he reversed into the parking space in an Alset, As one with fairly strong views about motors and motorists I felt obliged to agree to a simulation of the Alset on a test track not dissimilar to a typical English road. With all the enthusiasm of one keen to show off amazing technology he suggested heading out to the nearest (simulated) dual carriageway. and with all my usual enthusiasm for motoring I suggested the shortest possible (simulated) route during which it might be possible to demonstrate the technology.
The Alset (unlike an actual autonomous automobile) goes 'Bing' when you switch to autonomous mode - after the Bing you can watch a screen which shows where the Alset thinks the road is. If the Alset isn't sure where the road is it goes 'Bong' and (in this case) gently turned in the direction of the (simulated) hedge at the side of the road. Reassured that the technology hadn't taken us into the path of the oncoming (simulated) traffic we carried on. 'Bing' and all was well until 'bong' and we took a sharp right into the (simulated) hedge - saved only by the quick reactions of the (human) driver. The offer of a demonstration in fast (simulated) traffic was withdrawn and we (in the simulation) returned to base under human control.
