Posted on 01/24/2013 12:36:57 AM PST by Vince Ferrer
Much of the reporting about Googles driverless car has mistakenly focused on its science-fiction feel. In fact, the driverless car has broad implications for society, for the economy and for individual businesses. Just in the U.S., the car puts up for grab some $2 trillion a year in revenue and even more market cap. It creates business opportunities that dwarf Googles current search-based business and unleashes existential challenges to market leaders across numerous industries, including car makers, auto insurers, energy companies and others that share in car-related revenue.
(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...
Suddenly one day your driverless car will lock the doors and deliver you to a re-education center to eliminate any right wing aggressions.
We already have such a device. It’s called a train. The train isn’t profitable due to gov’t intervention.
Or a truck. probably we'll find that vehicles left unattended will be subject to more stringent security. People will want to exercise control over the street in front of their house or business to prevent anonymous autonomous delivery. Vehicles driving about without supervision and/or improper credentials might be subject to arrest.
Considering how much trouble people have with malware on phones and PCs, there's probably some depth backlash possible if the gov't tries to backdoor everything.
If they don't already have automated systems to monitor key mechanics, they will.
You have to remember that adoption of this technology won't be instant. Right now they have around a dozen test vehicles that have driven around 300,000 miles. They will take the feedback from those miles and consider that in fielding maybe 20 or 30 initial "real" vehicles, then gradually expand things.
A lot of maintenance issues on these cars won't be that much different from those of regular vehicles. Bad problems usually make a noise.
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