I have been following the developments in driverless vehicles with interest. It is not just out of curiosity about the science and technology behind it, though those things do have considerable interest. It is also out of potential personal benefit. As I get older, I am aware that at some point it may not be safe for me to operate a vehicle. That would definitely restrict my movements though the ride share services have solved part of the problem.
So I was interested that California has authorized the robotics company Nuro to use driverless vehicles for commercial delivery services, another step in the development of such vehicles for general use.
Its vehicles are designed to operate without a driver or passengers in them.
The R2 uses radar, thermal imaging and 360-degree cameras to direct its movement. And it lacks a steering wheel, pedals or side-view mirrors.
The vehicle has an egg-shaped frame that is smaller than most cars in the US. It also has two temperature-controlled compartments for deliveries. Doors raise up to reveal the items once a code has been entered by the recipient.
During a previous trial in Houston, Texas, in February, the R2 delivered pizza for Domino’s Pizza, groceries from supermarket chain Kroger and goods for Walmart.
Driverless taxis have already been tried in Phoenix, AZ and Shanghai, China.
That actually sounds pretty cool. I wonder if there is a charge for the delivery service.
Of course, in some ways going without passengers and just deliveries also makes some of the issues with driverless vehicles simpler. Among other things, it reduces the ethical considerations, since the car doesn’t have to worry about injuring or killing its passengers while trying to avoid other people on the road.
My inner hooligan sees far too many opportunities for mischief.
The one thing no one talks about when discussing drverless cars: what do you do about the pedestrians? No matter whether the cars are full of people or packages changes nothing. As soon as pedestrians figure out that cars are going to stop when confronted with people in their way, they are never going to stop and roads will be grid-locked. The only thing keeping them on the sidewalk is the fact that it hurts to get hit by a car.