The autopilot technology is amazing and some of it may even be better than a good deal of human drivers.
That said, it is going to have to be (provably) way better than human drivers before it will be successful. And it will have to work in any condition - or at the very least determine when it is unable to continue and safely stop and park the car.
If it requires the driver to stay alert, keep their hands on the wheel, and pay attention the whole time, then it is really almost useless. The idea that someone can sit there and keep paying attention while not having to do anything for extended periods of time is ridiculous. It is much harder to sit there and pay attention when you aren’t having to actually control the car than when you are.
Until it is almost flawless (at least provably better than a human) the accident lawyers will ensure that it is not successful in practice.
The idea that someone can sit there and keep paying attention while not having to do anything for extended periods of time is ridiculous.
You are so right.
I have had to drive on many long cross-country trips from the time I was 18. I love to drive and still can do 1100+ miles per day if I have a need and not be in any way tired, but put me in a position where I am not the driver and I am tired and non-attentive within an hour.