commentaries

This all sounds wonderful but the opportunity it would present for government to track everyone's personal movements in minute detail is a bit chilling.

Go out on the freeway and many of the cars appear to be driver-less already.

It's fitting that the first driverless car is a Toyota (brand for those that hate driving but owning a vehile is a necessity), as most of the left lane bandits are in a Toyota/Lexus product. While I believe that it's inevitable there will be driverless cars in the future, I am hoping there is enough demand for those us that want high horsepower RWD coupes/sedans.

Being driven around by a car and a human isn't directly at the wheel while other humans are still driving their own vehicle? I would rather have control of mine while they are texting and changing stations. I have a hard time believing that the auto-automobile would have the ability to avoid all the split second avoidance maneuvers that the human brain can process. This would have to happen everyone all at once or not at all.

elind56, They already could do that if you have a navigation equipped vehicle or cell phone with GPS turned on.

It's not completely new to have vehicles driving themselves...many people do not realize this but every commercial flight is pre-programmed and 95-99% of the time the aircraft is flying itself. It's about time we start to implement that same technology into our daily lives.

ggl3216 Sep. 28, 12 9:52 AM elind56, They already could do that if you have a navigation equipped vehicle or cell phone with GPS turned on. ....................And this is just another way to make it easier. Some dont have GPS or cell phones with gps or even a cell phone at all...

and when the lasers go out? The computers? What if this happens while driving and the "drive" is unaware? What safety mechanisms will be put in place in case of a faulty computer? if something goes out, which I am sure there will be computer/laser etc issues, how much will this cost to fix? Are the vehicles being made so the fixes will be easy or does the whole car have to be ripped apart to fix a minor problem? What kind of gas milage do they get? What kind of power do they have? I know Ill get a thumbs down because I have so many questions but these are serious questions.

Technical advancement is a marvelous thing. Nearly 35,000 dead per year and multiples more injured on America's highways each year is untenable and if this could cut into that number, then great. Nevertheless I echo elind's concern. This is a double-edged sword. Possible loss of freedom for a bit more security (or convenience). I suppose much of that is inevitable, but it is concerning nonetheless.