Google's Schmidt: Computers, not humans, should be driving cars
Summary: In a presentation at TechCrunch Disrupt, Google CEO Eric Schmidt talked about a technology nirvana between humans and computers - and suggested that computers, not humans, should be driving cars.
Here's an interesting thought: What if computers drove cars and left the passengers to eat, watch movies, maybe even take a nap?
On the stage at TechCrunch Disrupt conference in San Francisco, Google CEO Eric Schmidt suggested that that's the way it really should be. During his presentation, he said:
Your car should drive itself. It's amazing to me that we let humans drive cars. It's a bug that cars were invented before computers.
It's an interesting concept - albeit kind of scary when you think about how often computers crash and can easily be taken down by a worm, bug or virus. The last thing I would ever want to see is a blue screen of death while moving at 65 mph on a Bay Area freeway.
Granted, Schmidt wasn't implying that such technology is coming. It was more of a side thought in a speech that he delivered about the interactions that computers and humans can have to share day-to-day tasks and learn from each other.
Yeah, I know. Kind of creepy, huh? In fact, it's so much so that CNET's Tom Krazit suggested that it may be time for Schmidt to tone down all of this talk about a tech utopia.
The driving thing is interesting to me because I realize that Schmidt can't be the only one thinking about this. Is there really going to be a day when I can't change lanes freely, duck into the carpool lane to go around a slow-poke and then duck back out avoid the ticket? Will there be a day when my speed is not determined by how much of a rush I'm in but rather a speed that a government agency considers to be ideal?
I like to drive - it comes with growing up in California, I suppose. And I also like technology. But I don't think I'm ready now - or ever will be - for a car that takes the driving out of my control and gives it to a computer.
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Talkback
OH HELL NO!
Take a look at my avatar, and then think about Mr. Schmidt's thoughts.
All of this has happened before....
RE: Google's Schmidt: Computers, not humans, should be driving cars
I actually wish the USA had bullet trains. I'd be happy to ride a bullet train from Sacramento to L.A. in 2 hours instead of driving myself or flying.
RE: Google's Schmidt: Computers, not humans, should be driving cars
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RE: Google's Schmidt: Computers, not humans, should be driving cars
So tell me...do you think human hands will be rotating steering wheels a thousand years from now? Five hundred? I would say it's already time to automate the process, and that the technology necessary to do so already exists. I liked Battlestar Galactica as well, but it's far from an argument against automating our antiquated transportation system.
gary
www.prtproject.com
RE: Google's Schmidt: Computers, not humans, should be driving cars
Love your tarded website...LOL
RE: Google's Schmidt: Computers, not humans, should be driving cars
Thanks. Let me know if you have any intelligent feedback.
gary
http://www.prtproject.com
500/1000 years from now
We'll be lucky to still be here...
RE: Google's Schmidt: Computers, not humans, should be driving cars
Do you think there will be humans a thousand years from now? I doubt it, not unless there's a global war in which, with unbelievable luck, we managed to eliminate every do-gooder liberal on the planet.
We won't have transportation beyond the horsecart in a thousand years, if we don't stop the collectivists in their tracts TODAY.
Feedback
It's a pipe-dream for engineers. The next transportation revolution is going to be far more consumer friendly. It is, in my opinion, already taking place. It comes in the form of front facing radar assisted brakes, 300+ mile electric cars, integrated navigation/smartphone systems and possibly even speed adjusting cruise control. These simple things are the revolution because they IMPROVE our transportation and the customer experience.
A little ugly car on rails controlled by a computer won't change the world simply because there isn't anyone willing to pay for it, not consumers, not governments.
RE: Feedback
I see the improvements you site as short term solutions. But I recommend you research the cost of maintaining all the asphalt roadways...not insignificant. And if you do go with a fixed rail system, you eliminate batteries. And you no longer run off the road, always a much greater likelihood with asphalt roads than rails.
gary
RE: Google's Schmidt: Computers, not humans, should be driving cars
And what is it about freedom that you hate so much?
RE: Google's Schmidt: Computers, not humans, should be driving cars
Posting with advertising? Hate Freedom? I honestly have no clue what points you're trying to make...sorry.
gary
RE: Google's Schmidt: Computers, not humans, should be driving cars
Had the same idea when I was 6. Still think it's great. Glad you're pursuing it.
RE: Google's Schmidt: Computers, not humans, should be driving cars
RE: Google's Schmidt: Computers, not humans, should be driving cars
Heaven forfend.
HA!
jet liner is a bit off as an example...
We still don't totally let computers fly airplanes. From the ascent through the approach, we let them... But actually landing the plane and taking off? Are done fly-by-wire, with the pilot(s) in control. Mind you, if the computers all die, the plane is coming down, as the pilot's directions are useless.
RE: Google's Schmidt: Computers, not humans, should be driving cars
Also, they provide targeting date for missiles and torpedoes as well as targeting incoming missiles for missile defense. They can not only automagically administer drugs in response to those vitals, they do a better job of administering the appropriate does and molarity, keep better track of the regularity with which a drug has been administered, and can more quickly calculate dosing.
@ shryko
The important part of your statement is "let". There are far fewer take-off/landing failure of drones since they left the testing grounds than their are on jetliners. We don't refrain because we think people do it better. We refrain because, like Mr. Diaz, we like the FEEL of control. So, as he enjoins us we don't DO anything about LEADING cause of death amongst 15-30 year olds in this country, because he LIKES to drive.