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runarbergyesterday at 5:24 PM4 repliesview on HN

Autonomous private cars is not the technological progress you think it is. We’ve had autonomous trains for decades, and while it provides us with a more efficient and cost effective public transit system, it didn’t open the doors for the next revolutionary technology.

Self driving cars is a dead end technology, that will introduce a whole host of new problems which are already solved with public transit, better urban planning, etc.


Replies

sekaiyesterday at 5:44 PM

> We’ve had autonomous trains for decades

Trains need tracks, cars - already have the infrastructure to drive on.

> Self driving cars is a dead end technology, that will introduce a whole host of new problems which are already solved with public transit, better urban planning, etc.

Self driving cars will literally become a part of public transit

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drewmateyesterday at 7:08 PM

Unfortunately, many of our urban areas have already been planned (for better or worse) for cars and not the density that makes public transit viable. Autonomous cars will solve a host of problems for the old, young, mobility limited, and just about everyone else.

It will prove disruptive to the driving industry, but I think we’ve been through worse disruptions and fared the better for it.

xnxyesterday at 6:39 PM

> Self driving cars is a dead end technology

I would be happy to bet on some strict definition of your claim.

pnutyesterday at 5:42 PM

Nope. Humans are statistically fallible and their attention is too valuable to be obliged to a mundane task like executing navigation commands. Redesigning and rebuilding city transportation infrastructure isn't happening, look around. Also personal agency limits public transportation as a solution.

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