Driverless cars in New Zealand

Forums › Transport (cars, bikes and boats) › Driverless cars in New Zealand - thoughts?

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#1793300 1-Jun-2017 20:04

So some people are suggesting driving a truck is an unskilled job?

I'd love to see you people do a 14hr shift* behind the wheel** or a linehaul run starting at 8pm.

Oh, btw, self driving trucks might work on multi-lane "interstate" highways like the US, but I'd love to see one try and do the desert road at night in winter, not to mention road-trains... And who changes its tyres when they blow out?

*edited for pedants (it used to be 14hr max days) Edit again. It's still 14 hours, you just don't get paid for your mandatory breaks.

**You can sit "behind the wheel" while on a break, provided you're not moving.

Ge0rge

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#1793317 1-Jun-2017 20:35

blakamin:

So some people are suggesting driving a truck is an unskilled job?

I'd love to see you people do 14hrs behind the wheel, or a linehaul run starting at 8pm.

Oh, btw, self driving trucks might work on multi-lane "interstate" highways like the US, but I'd love to see one try and do the desert road at night in winter, not to mention road-trains... And who changes its tyres when they blow out?

While I'm not doubting that truck driving is a professional job, the police here would love to see you do a 14hr drive here too - I'm sure they'd take great pleasure in fining you for driving 2.5hrs over the legal limit per day...

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#1793361 1-Jun-2017 22:00

blakamin:

So some people are suggesting driving a truck is an unskilled job?

I'd love to see you people do a 13hr shift* behind the wheel** or a linehaul run starting at 8pm.

Oh, btw, self driving trucks might work on multi-lane "interstate" highways like the US, but I'd love to see one try and do the desert road at night in winter, not to mention road-trains... And who changes its tyres when they blow out?

*edited for pedants (it used to be 14hr max days)

**You can sit "behind the wheel" while on a break, provided you're not moving.

I bet the computer can't do this

Ge0rge

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#1793368 1-Jun-2017 22:19

@blakamin - you're right, my apologies, that was a little pedantic. Technically in NZ you can only drive for 5.5hrs before needing a 30min break, which must be taken out of the truck. My main point was that a AI vehicle doesn't need to rest like a human, isn't going to fall asleep at the wheel or take a risk due to poor judgement - the only break it will need is the turn-around time and servicing of the vehicle.

As for tyres blowing out - I would say it would be the same people that change them now - Beaurepairs get a call from the truck as it knows the left rear inner tyre on axle 5 has lost pressure...

Remember that people didn't think a human could survive going faster than a horse could run - they believed that the air would move too fast and you wouldn't be able to breathe! We laugh at that now, and I can see a day when people will look back in an incredulous way at the way we live now - "What do you mean you used to drive?" (assuming we don't wipe ourselves out before that day comes...)

Linuxluver

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#1793369 1-Jun-2017 22:27

dclegg:

It'll make driving in Auckland a helluva lot safer, I'm sure. Auckland drivers are the worst! Far too aggressive and impatient.

It's not just Auckland, believe me. There is a certain kind of driver to be found everywhere. Immature. Ego-driven. Careless. Thoughtless.

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#1793405 2-Jun-2017 06:48

Linuxluver:

dclegg:

It'll make driving in Auckland a helluva lot safer, I'm sure. Auckland drivers are the worst! Far too aggressive and impatient.

It's not just Auckland, believe me. There is a certain kind of driver to be found everywhere. Immature. Ego-driven. Careless. Thoughtless.

Plus nice people who are easily distracted, poor drivers, look ahead and not around, in a rush, crying kids in the back, the list goes on. The human brain is wonderful but I prefer a brain that does one thing, has eyes in the back of its head, and roof, and sides, etc. And it follows the Road Code 100%

gzt

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#1793435 2-Jun-2017 08:33

Driving is so central to life it seems odd to imagine a time we won't do it. Driverless cars will be up there with the electric washing machine etc in terms of lifestyle change.

AI truly capable of the task is yet to appear. It's an interesting test because when it does it will be applied to and revolutionise many other areas at the same time.

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Azzura

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#1793438 2-Jun-2017 08:41

They'll be great for elderly (i know I will want one.... when someday I can no longer drive). Perhaps, allowing them to remain home and independent longer.

Also, pubs and having a few drinks when out to dinner might make a comeback. Not sure on the legality --- as you still may have to be able to control the vehicle?

ben28

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#1793450 2-Jun-2017 09:03

I think people get tunnel vision because we call them driverless 'cars'

They wont be cars, they will be a new form of transport , taking features from buses, ride share vans, uber, taxis etc

For instance a pure form of these

- would not be owned by an individual , you'll hail and pay like a taxi

- wont be able to be driven by a human, no steering wheel, pedals

- will have features like drink/food dispensers, TV, internet, games,

- may come in one person form factor

Parking buildings will need a new use, people wont need garages or driveways , no need for traffic lights apart from something to advise pedestrians when they can cross, no speed cameras!

tdgeek

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#1793453 2-Jun-2017 09:19

gzt: Driving is so central to life it seems odd to imagine a time we won't do it. Driverless cars will be up there with the electric washing machine etc in terms of lifestyle change.

AI truly capable of the task is yet to appear. It's an interesting test because when it does it will be applied to and revolutionise many other areas at the same time.

That is a great point. Cant now, but I will post sometime what I think will change. Many industries will see downturns, and many changes have a roll on effect.

Less accidents, more fuel and electricity efficient driving to name a couple of changes that will affect many

Coil

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#1793459 2-Jun-2017 09:28

Ge0rge:

blakamin:

So some people are suggesting driving a truck is an unskilled job?

I'd love to see you people do 14hrs behind the wheel, or a linehaul run starting at 8pm.

Oh, btw, self driving trucks might work on multi-lane "interstate" highways like the US, but I'd love to see one try and do the desert road at night in winter, not to mention road-trains... And who changes its tyres when they blow out?

While I'm not doubting that truck driving is a professional job, the police here would love to see you do a 14hr drive here too - I'm sure they'd take great pleasure in fining you for driving 2.5hrs over the legal limit per day...

Australia (Where Blakamin lives) has laws that allow for longer driving periods than us in NZ. A 14 hour day shouldnt be in violation. (Depending on state and vehicle class)

The product i support has API's to all of the tire servicing crews. If in the case a blowout occurs they get a notification and a location of the truck.

I would think there would be something conductive in the road the trucks can center themselves on if the worst comes to worst for a linehaul thats driverless. What ever that maybe in the road also may provide data relating to the grade, corner sharpness upcoming etc. Everything else would be via proximity sensors and cameras.

The TPMS on trucks is only just starting to come out on newer equipment.
Retreads should be illegal.

Azzura

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#1793475 2-Jun-2017 09:52

What is the gov going to do about the lost wages and lost income tax, gst (other taxes) that came from these wages.

As more and more things become "automated". It is eventually possible....no one is working to buy the products. Or enough people have no money cause there are not enough jobs.

Does the gov do basic living income? Tax the company using these automated equipment/vehicles? Do they tax the people still working even more?

Coil

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#1793501 2-Jun-2017 10:13

Azzura:

What is the gov going to do about the lost wages and lost income tax, gst (other taxes) that came from these wages.

As more and more things become "automated". It is eventually possible....no one is working to buy the products. Or enough people have no money cause there are not enough jobs.

Does the gov do basic living income? Tax the company using these automated equipment/vehicles? Do they tax the people still working even more?

Communism will work.

In theory

Batman

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#1793580 2-Jun-2017 11:38

Azzura:

What is the gov going to do about the lost wages and lost income tax, gst (other taxes) that came from these wages.

As more and more things become "automated". It is eventually possible....no one is working to buy the products. Or enough people have no money cause there are not enough jobs.

Does the gov do basic living income? Tax the company using these automated equipment/vehicles? Do they tax the people still working even more?

That is one thing that society is going to have to figure out. Almost all jobs will be done by computers. What are the role of humans? And if AI is given free reign, then perhaps they might eliminate humans.

Ramjet99

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#1793736 2-Jun-2017 14:16

I'd say the driver-less trucks in "Logan" give a pretty good picture of the future of much commerical trucking. Obviously set to aggro mode for dramatic effect, but basically containers on wheels.

Personally, I can't wait to have a driver-less car - I don't mind driving but I'd rather enjoy the trip and scenery.

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