Robocars As the Best Way Geeks Can Save the Planet 394
Brad Templeton writes "I (whom you may know as EFF Chairman, founder of early
dot-com Clari.Net and rec.humor.funny)
have just released a new series of futurist
essays on the amazing future
of robot cars, coming to us thanks to the DARPA Grand Challenges.
The computer driver is just the beginning — the
essays detail how robocars can
enable the cheap electric car, save millions of lives and trillions
of dollars, and are the most compelling thing
computer geeks can work on to save the planet. Because robocars can refuel, park
and deliver themselves, and not simply be chauffeurs, they end up changing
not just cars but cities, industries, energy, and — by removing
dependence on foreign oil — even wars. I, for one, welcome our new robot overlords."
(More below.)
Templeton continues: "The key realization is that while the safety and timesavings that
come from having computers as chauffeurs is very important and can
save a million lives every year, a number of interesting consequences
come from the ability of robocars to drive themselves while vacant.
This allows them to deliver themselves to us on demand, to park
themselves and to refuel/recharge themselves. On-demand delivery makes
car sharing pleasant and allows the use of "the right vehicle for
the trip" on most trips. Self-refueling means the people using
cars no longer need care about range or how common fueling stations
are, enabling all sorts of novel energy systems with minimal "chicken
and egg" problems. Because passengers don't care about the range
of their taxis, battery weight and cost are no longer issues in
electric cars and scooters."
First Johnny Cab! (Score:5, Funny)
I'm so excited!
I predict... (Score:5, Funny)
After all, I think it's the driving problem that really prevents people from drinking to their full potential. I can't count the number of times I've thought "I know, I'll go to a bar and get hammered!" and then, a few seconds later, "ahhh, but I don't know how I'd get home."
Yes, I think 2053 will have a few things in common with 1953 - a glorious time when men were men and martinis were brunch.
Re:First Johnny Cab! (Score:1, Funny)
excited? heh. Nothing we do will "save the planet" Earth has a date of destruction set with the Sun eating it in about 5 billion years. Why must we be all consumed with "saving the planet" on a daily basis? It's such a useless and pointless endeavor to "save the planet".
Will the first Robocar virus... (Score:4, Funny)
...be called "drunk", "on cellphone" or "putting on makeup"?
Re:First Johnny Cab! (Score:5, Funny)
Cool, Can we have Robert picardo record the voice for our new robotic overlords.
Re:Wow, good job! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:First Johnny Cab! (Score:5, Funny)
You're right, our time is much better spent on pedantic jackassery.
Re:Wow, good job! (Score:5, Funny)
Re:Wow, good job! (Score:5, Funny)
Higgs boston thingies or girl-types?
Re:First Johnny Cab! (Score:3, Funny)
He's a doctor, not a dictation machine.
Obligatory Futurama quote (Score:3, Funny)
Nerd #1: Hello? Are there any girls in this room at all?
Nerd #2: Yeah, bring on the hot chicks 'cause I'm a hot stud.
Nerd #3: Yeah! So are we!
[Leela pushes her way to the centre of the crowd.]
Leela: I'm a woman, if that's what you mean. [The nerds gasp.] I don't like to play games, so I'll just say I'm a cyclops, I'm a spaceship captain, I'm the only one of my species and I'm interested in meeting a man.
Nerd #4: A woman! I'm scared.
Re:Wow, good job! (Score:4, Funny)
CERN would like to have a word with you.
Re:Wow, good job! (Score:1, Funny)
I have a picture of a beautiful female slashdot user, which this margin is too narrow to contain.