Google Self-Driving Car Accident Reports

[robinson]

You learn this shit fast the hard way

I have no idea what a self driving car would do


Probably would just stop when conditions are that bad, as in the car just won’t move anymore


Which brings us almost to the real problem

[robinson]

All the self driving shit is about movement


It’s when everything stops that a self driving car is worthless

[robinson]

For example, what does a self driving car do when it encounters a child in the road? Or an injured person? Or a tree?

Objects on the road?


A terrible accident? Fire? A burning car?


Hail? A tornado?

Flooding? Downed power lines? A person passed out behind the wheel?

A blood soaked hysterical woman screaming for help? Somebody with a baseball bat?

An angry mob approaching? (A BLM peaceful protest)

Baby ducks? A horse? A herd of escaped cattle? A landslide happening up ahead?

[robinson]

What does a self driving car do when it’s not the driving that matters?

Can it call 911? Explain what is happening? Can a self driving car get out the car and do anything at all?


No, it fucking can’t


When the shit hits the fan, the car can’t do shit. It sure as fuck can’t change a tire, especially not on another car. It ain’t going to get out a chainsaw and cut up a tree, it won’t render first aid, it can’t put out a fire, it can’t stop a person from bleeding, or expiring from exposure

It won’t knock on a strangers door or scream for help


There’s a long list of shit a self driving car can’t do

[xouper]

There’s a long list if shit a self driving car can’t do

Well, as long as it can bring the beer from the trunk to my kitchen, that will be good enough for me.

[robinson]

Never going to happen

[gnome]

Apparently not so simple:

Drivingfast.net: Snow & ice driving myths

Most traction control systems (such as ETC, DSC, ESP) can reduce engine power or apply the brakes in response to spinning wheels. When driving in winter conditions, it is especially beneficial to keep these systems active as they are much more capable of maintaining traction (and keeping you on the road) than most humans. However there are occasions when a reduction in power can hinder progress (for example when stuck in deep snow), and only then should these systems be temporarily switched off. If you have tried pulling away unsuccessfully – try turning the systems off and having another go. If this doesn’t work you’ll need to consider your options.

So it sounds like you would only turn it off if you seem stuck.

[robinson]

Nope


If you are sliding into danger because of snow ice or slush, the anti skid means you are fucked

I’m talking about serious real world conditions


The computer won’t allow the wheels to lock up or to spin

Which means you slide into deep shit


You can’t grind down the ice or grind down to pavement, and you are fucked


Literally


The engine won’t even rev

You will have zero power and zero control

[robinson]

That’s how it’s designed


If the wheels lock up the computer let’s them roll, and if the wheels start to spin, they stop


It means you have no ability to stop or go, you just are fucked

A self driving car is completely worthless in these kinds of conditions


So is a driver with no experience driving on snow or ice

[robinson]

But none of that is the real deal killer for self driving cars

[robinson]

Once again, they will work in ideal conditions, and probably way better than a lot of drivers


But the real world is not ideal conditions

[gnome]

As far as a driverless car not being able to assist in an incident on scene--my first thought is that it likely could summon aid. Secondly and more significantly, the risk of being in an incident where the presence of a driver would save a life, would probably be dwarfed by the number of fatal collisions avoided, once the technology is ready.

[robinson]

Just adding the already available safety features to every car would save a lot of lives

[robinson]

But a car with out an actual driver is never going to work in the actual real world


For the same reason a self flying plane, with no actual pilot in the plane won’t work

It’s not the ten thousand, or a hundred thousand safe flights that will matter


It’s the one where shit goes terribly wrong that people remember

[xouper]

As far as a driverless car not being able to assist in an incident on scene--my first thought is that it likely could summon aid.

Cadillac Onstar has been doing that for years. When it detects the car has been in a crash, it automatically summons help.

[gnome]

But a car with out an actual driver is never going to work in the actual real world


For the same reason a self flying plane, with no actual pilot in the plane won’t work

It’s not the ten thousand, or a hundred thousand safe flights that will matter


It’s the one where shit goes terribly wrong that people remember

If you're saying that people will not easily trust it, I think you're right.

[gnome]

Just adding the already available safety features to every car would save a lot of lives

It's happening to some extent. More and more safety features that were a luxury addon are now becoming standard.

[robinson]

Indeed

Needs to be by law, like seatbelts and airbags

[robinson]

The collision avoidance feature in my new Kia is the greatest thing


So is the self driving part

The rear radars and rear collision feature is absolutely amazing


I want a Tesla so bad now

[robinson]

I was driving one recently and it really does know more about the surroundings than any driver could

[robinson]

At least in good weather