Consumers Remain Skeptical About Self-Driving Cars, Study Finds | Edmunds.com

Edmunds.com

Consumers Remain Skeptical About Self-Driving Cars, Study Finds | Edmunds.com

U.S. motorists remain skeptical about self-driving cars, according to a new study from the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute.

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zoomzoomn

I think that in the right circumstances, i.e. designated fast lanes on a highway, that such cars would use would greatly reduce congestion and, in turn, consumption and time efficiency. Driver inconsistency would give way to cars traveling in "trains" greatly improving the long distance traveling experience. Imagine arriving hours later with little, or no driver fatigue. Around town, though? I want control. Sometimes you just want to DRIVE! Having driven newer cars with active lane keep assist, cruise control and accident mitigation systems, they pretty much drive themselves anyway. Adding the satellite link to ensure accuracy and near field communication is all that is needed to complete the capability.

Mr_Shiftright

Unlike computer-driven trains and planes, the landscape in which cars have to operate is ever-changing and way more complicated for a computer to figure out. Imagine a plane having to deal with wing-to-wing traffic, or a subway train having to make rapid and unpredictable detours, watch for animals and people crossing the tracks, etc.

No wonder people are skeptical.

But along well-regulated routes that can have proper sensors in place, I think the public would relax.