WG2 - I wonder too. I ave given up driving and I don't have an automobile any more, were I to live in an area where driverless cars are used, would I get into one? No way. Living in the boon-docks I am sure it's going to be a long time before they would be useful. I don't say "never" because living in the boon-docks made it impossible to get a cell-phone signal for quite some time and now everybody has them, and maybe some day science fiction becomes true and people will just jump into their vehicle and dial their destination,

I also don't drive anymore because of my poor eyesight, but if it would work for sure, I would love one of those cars. Go where you need to go without having to depend on kind neighbors or taxis would be great.

In our house, I'm the official driver. My husband hasn't driven in over five years, evev tho he renewed his permit the last time he had to. However,, when it expires this year, he won't try to renew it. So, I have to stay as healthy as possible. When I can't drive anymore, we'll have to make different living arrangements. I hate to think about that!

As to the driverless cars, if everybody used one, it might be O.K.; otherwise, I hate to think of being in one on the Interstate!

Google made a specific comment that they are making the "pod" car in part for seniors. Just the points that been has been made here.
I would also luv to have that kind of transportation if needed.
The pod car"s top speed is 25 mph. It is a two person car, with some room for things like groceries. No trunk.
Lol, I'd want a voice command, something like "drive me to the grocery store."
My cell phone has a voice command, I say "call hubby" and it calls hubby.

Up until now, the cars have been tested on private property, but they wanted to test it in real life traffic to see how it would handle every possible situation.
That is what worries me, since it is being tested not only in our city, but in my neighborhood.
As I said, for now I'm giving them lots of room.

A video

First trip video

Thank you for the video WG2, it was fun to watch

WG2, I, also, was very interested in the video. Don't know if I'll be around to use it, but the concept--esp. for seniors--is wonderful. Thanks for the link.

Mr. Toad's wild ride!

Lol, Don. First I've heard of the topic.

No voice command wanted here. I'll call those automated systems and I'll say yes. And it won't understand. Not even in a Southern twang. I really don't have much of an accent. If I say correct, sometimes it gets it, sometimes it doesn't. I'm just sure I'd say, "grocery store" and it'd take me to some rundown strip (nude bodies, not strip mall) joint in the worst part of town. UGH!

Rob, I program my cell to dial the numbers I want it to dial. If I don't have a hot cabana boy in my on my list of contacts, it can't be dialed by mistake. (or not).
After all, it is a computer.
Perhaps. the pods could be programmed the same way? Just so you won't end up in a strip mall.

aw, but I wanted to end up in a strip joint, by "accident". Not really ;)

This sounds like the set-up for a joke, although it isn't: I heard two driverless cars recently collided. Or had a near-collision. Can't remember. Anyway, the whole concept raises a bunch of questions. I do like the idea that these cars are being developed in part for the use of seniors and others who are unable to drive themselves.

Oh, what a day in the computer world. United Airlines had a computer problem and some 35 hundred flights were grounded. The NYSE had a computer problem and some people were not able to trade,
Among all of this, the pundits were saying that Google were trying to push their driver-less cars and who would trust their computer cars?
I like the idea of driver-less cars, but I'm not willing to give up all my control to a computer.
Although this may not be a topic for the "Garden Party", I'm keeping my eye out.

Well, it seems that I have a bee in my bonnet.
Computers
But I'm not alone,

I read day-before-yesterday that Uber wants to buy all of Tesla's electric driverless cars. A half million of them.

article

I sure hope all of them won't be street tested on my street.
Interesting article, thanks for posting.