How long before automatic steering becomes a reality?

Discussion in 'General Motoring' started by George Orwell, Apr 17, 2007.

  1. I love cruise control because it sorta fixes the over-sensitive gas pedal
    I've been complaining about.

    But, there is yet no patch for the over-sensitive steering. The cruise
    control for the steering would be automatic steering. I remember this idea
    has been floating around for decades. What's holding up the parade? All
    that is needed is a wire down the center of the lane with a low-amplitude
    radio signal to which the vehicle can home in.

    With cruise-control and steering-control, all the driver has to do is sit
    back and relax, just monitoring the traffic and guarding the integrity of
    the system.

    Disengagement would be similar to cruise control. Simply touch the brake
    pedal or manually take over the steering to disengage the respective
    functions.

    Actually, it might be possible to have an automatic steering control
    without road modifications. Perhaps the car could read the lane marker
    line and offset the car to a position established when the set button is
    pressed. If the lane marker disappears, the system would establish a
    virtual lane maker for a few seconds. If it does not reappear, the system
    would disengage with a beep and the driver would resume manual control.
    Even if not perfect, it might work on the superhighways, greatly relieving
    driver workload.
     
    George Orwell, Apr 17, 2007
    #1
  2. George Orwell

    Joe Guest

    I say the parade is being held up for lack of economic incentive. Nobody's
    paying you to drive.
     
    Joe, Apr 17, 2007
    #2
  3. George Orwell

    Adam H Guest

    But, there is yet no patch for the over-sensitive steering. The cruise
    True, but the technology is there, just in it's infancy. Think about those
    Mars rovers - how they 'look around' and identify where they can and can't
    go. And those desert-racing DARPA vehicles, not all of which use GPS for
    their automated steering.

    One thing is for sure, if, in 10 years time, you are out in the sticks and
    see a military vehicle coming towards you, don't rely on its driver not to
    run you down! (It might not have one) As for when they use driverless
    vehicles for transporting people (Rather than supplies) - now, there is the
    question, but I'd suggest that Magna Chrysler will have sorted your steering
    by then!

    A
     
    Adam H, Apr 17, 2007
    #3
  4. George Orwell

    Some O Guest

    Too many pot holes in winter spring here.
    Besides lane jumpers wouldn't use it and they could get hit when they
    cut into your lane.
     
    Some O, Apr 17, 2007
    #4
  5. George Orwell

    Steve Guest

    One word: LIABILITY

    OK, two words: LIABILITY and LAWYERS.
     
    Steve, Apr 18, 2007
    #5
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