Tesla Model S

[Paul Blore]

Roger,

You can't really compare the parking sensors on a Honda Civic to the technology in a Tesla. The already huge computing power in a Tesla has just been increased by a factor of 40 in order to manage the autonomous technology. Tesla conservatively estimate that an autonomous Tesla will be twice as safe as a car driven by a good human driver. The systems can "see" far more and respond much quicker in an emergency.
These systems are already in daily use in aircraft and have been for years.

However, as impressive as it is and as mind boggling as the performance is, I've come to the conclusion that it is a pretty soulless car to drive.

I'm trying the Jaguar F-Type again tomorrow, but the Range Rover Sport SVR still has huge appeal as does the Audi RS6.

Paul

[nikbj68]

#My Uncle has a country place, that no-one knows about; He says it used to be a farm, before the Motor Law...

[Roger King]

Roger,

You can't really compare the parking sensors on a Honda Civic to the technology in a Tesla. The already huge computing power in a Tesla has just been increased by a factor of 40 in order to manage the autonomous technology. Tesla conservatively estimate that an autonomous Tesla will be twice as safe as a car driven by a good human driver. The systems can "see" far more and respond much quicker in an emergency.
These systems are already in daily use in aircraft and have been for years.

However, as impressive as it is and as mind boggling as the performance is, I've come to the conclusion that it is a pretty soulless car to drive.

I'm trying the Jaguar F-Type again tomorrow, but the Range Rover Sport SVR still has huge appeal as does the Audi RS6.

Paul

Well, I wasn't making that comparison really. My point is that you can currently buy a car with a system that will lock up the wheels and kill the engine in what I consider to be an inappropriate and very dangerous situation with no input from the driver. I'm not bothered who builds it - but Honda is a much more mainstream manufacturer than Tesla, so it's more likely to become the norm, as more people can afford a Honda than can a Tesla. I really don't care if these things are built by Mercedes or Trabant - it's the way they are taking us that I object to and which depresses me. As Nige has said, we need to make the most of how we are allowed to drive at the moment, because it's not going to last much longer. Our great-grandchildren will never believe that we were able to build a car ourselves, control it on public roads with no electronic input, modify it, go over the speed limit, have no GPS on board so nobody knew where we were or how fast we were going, crash it...

[David Large]

Roger,

Rather depressingly I suspect you are right.

David

[Paul Blore]

That, I'm afraid to say, I agree with.

However, the historic vehicle industry is worth around around £5.5bn and employs 35,000 people in the UK, so it isn't exactly a cottage industry and has significant influence, so it isn't going to disappear any time soon.

There are too many people on the roads that view driving simply as a means to get from A to B and pretty much abdicate all responsibility for their own behaviour. Getting those people into autonomous vehicles can only be a good thing.

The Tesla is a premium car at a premium price point, but it will come down to the mainstream before too long.

My head tells me that a Tesla would be a good choice for all manner of reasons. But as much as I wanted to enjoy it, I really couldn't and my heart screamed for something with a soul. Bring on the Jaaaaaaag.

Paul

[nikbj68]

...I'm not bothered who builds it - but Honda is a much more mainstream manufacturer than Tesla, so it's more likely to become the norm, as more people can afford a Honda than can a Tesla. I really don't care if these things are built by Mercedes or Trabant - it's the way they are taking us that I object to and which depresses me...

Oh no, Roger, It`s WHO is making them that really scares me. Knowing how many electric faults yer typical 6-year old Peugeot/Citroen has, translated into a 6-year old Autonomous car from a similar budget level scares the absolute crap out of me. Probably 80% of owners won`t go 'main dealer' for servicing, and what about when someone hacks the software, (which they will)...

[Roger King]

...indeed, that too...

there are a lot of elements to this that I really don't want to think about

[Dale Bowman]

I'm pretty certain back in 1896 when the "red flag" man was abolished lots of people were worried about cars travelling above 4mph.

[Roger King]

I'm pretty certain back in 1896 when the "red flag" man was abolished lots of people were worried about cars travelling above 4mph.

And they were right to! Look how fast they go now - much more than 4!

[agnoraan]

...I'm not bothered who builds it - but Honda is a much more mainstream manufacturer than Tesla, so it's more likely to become the norm, as more people can afford a Honda than can a Tesla. I really don't care if these things are built by Mercedes or Trabant - it's the way they are taking us that I object to and which depresses me...

Oh no, Roger, It`s WHO is making them that really scares me. Knowing how many electric faults yer typical 6-year old Peugeot/Citroen has, translated into a 6-year old Autonomous car from a similar budget level scares the absolute crap out of me. Probably 80% of owners won`t go 'main dealer' for servicing, and what about when someone hacks the software, (which they will)...

As autonomous cars get older they're guaranteed to have technical failures. If they can't make an ECU at the moment that doesn't go tits up as it ages, then the technology in autonomous cars will be a nightmare. I can't see people being able to "hack" the software either and if they do what would the point be?

Friends of mine that work in the motor trade have been told not to work on hybrid cars for fear of electrocution. First responders such as firemen and ambulance crews are also at risk when one of these hybrids has an accident

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article ... dents.html

A number of firemen in the US have lost their lives due to electrocution using the "jaws of life" trying to rescue and cut people out of cars involved in accidents. I would think that only main agents will be allowed to work on autonomous cars, as the fallout if one kills someone due to any failure would be immense....... it's all the work of the Devil I tell you....

Nige