Google's New Self-Driving Car Doesn't Have A Steering Wheel !

[doxydad]

We're living in some strange times! Google just unveiled its latest autonomous car, and it's a bulbous two-seater, with no steering wheel, gas or brake. This is the future, pod people.

Unlike the Prius and Lexus hybrids in Google's fleet, this was designed from the ground-up as a complete reimagining of what transportation could be. It's designed to simply get you get from A to B – plug in your destination and you'll never have to interact with the controls

http://jalopnik.com/googles-new-car-doesnt-have-a-steering-wheel-1582421784/+tcberman

[Xyzse]

1. I can see these things as a "Pod" or Portable Online Driving

However, as a car that can go everywhere, no, not at all.
To use for public/paid transportation.

Thanks.

[dawg]

2. They can keep it.

I'm gonna drive old school as long as I can.

[Yavin4]

3. Most of my work involves reading and responding to email communication

Going forward, this is how most people will work. People won't have the luxury of spending 45 minutes behind the wheel of a car without responding to emails.

[Chan790]

4. I can't wait to own one. n/t

[NV Whino]

5. I'd love to see a little fleet of these up on my hill

Just to transport people to town or to the hospital. I spent some time a few years ago without the ability to drive. Getting to doctors' appointments or therapy was a major PIA. Nothing is walkable up here.

[mopinko]

15. that's what i thought too. getting to the doctor is a big obstacle for a lot of seniors.

my mom was crushed and angry at having to give up driving.
it was the end of her quality of life. the start of the big slide.

i'm only 60 and allegedly able, and i might shouldnt oughta drive.
there is good transit here, but docs can be a tough trip.

[kairos12]

6. Same as drivers who keep their hands on their phones all day.

[Duer 157099]

7. Sure. And end up on a manmade island in the middle of the ocean?

No thanks.

[Taitertots]

8. How long before the first one gets the blue screen of death?

[ProdigalJunkMail]

13. dollars to doughnuts

it ain't runnin' Windoze...

sP

[FiveGoodMen]

14. That could be quite literal in this case!

[struggle4progress]

9. Makes sense. Around here, nobody really uses their steering wheels much anyway

[Algernon Moncrieff]

10. The self-driving car is just a prototype experiment that will lead to the self-driving semi-truck

No steering wheels, seats, airbags, or sleepers. In it's place, a redundant computer system and enough fuel to run from coast-to-coast. Think -- no drivers to have to stop to use the bathroom, eat, or sleep -- and with computer automation, you'll run those babies bumper-to-bumper in packs at 100-125 MPH.

After that -- drone technology will be used to replace pilots on FedEx and UPS planes.

[Blue_Tires]

11. Why let a machine do the driving for you?

It's like letting a machine sexually satisfy your spouse...

[mopinko]

16. well, you dont know my spouse.

[In_The_Wind]

12. It would be nice when I'm not working.

Although ... it also might drive me nuts. [img][/img]

[kentauros]

17. I think this is great!

Unlike everyone else that seems afraid of it, I'm all for taking the steering wheel out of the hands of those that can't be bothered to focus on the driving part. Stupid people will still be on the roads, but they will no longer be in control of a vehicle. I'd think they'd be the happiest to have such a car. Then they could yap, txt, surf, and/or sleep to their heart's content.

This would also be a boon to thwart drunk-drivers