Let the road train drive your car for you | Hacker News Reader

Let the road train drive your car for you

kurzweilai.net

5 pointsjoshrule8 comments

I saw a demo of this sort of system c.a. 2000 and it completely blew my mind. Sadly, from what I can see in the video the technology hasn't really changed. This indicates to me that the problems facing car train adoption are the same they were a decade ago: people just aren't comfortable with the technology.

I think, unfortunately, this'll be as far from reality in 2020 as it is in 2010 and was in 2000.

I believe one application of this is truck convoys in battle zones like Iraq.

"The hope is that average road speeds can be reduced, improving fuel consumption and cutting congestion."

I've got bad news for the developer of this product. Unless the government makes it mandatory, the product is going nowhere. Unless consumers see a clear path between the product and their goal, they won't adopt it. While improved fuel consumption is a draw, pairing it with reduced speed is a death knell. Drives can already improve fuel efficiency by slowing down. Even as little as 5 MPH can have a significant impact on fuel efficiency, yet the majority of drivers continue at a hurried pace? Why is that? Because priority #1 is getting where we're going, and we want to get there as quickly as we can.

I think not having to drive is a pretty good reason to use this. I'd love to be able to join a convoy and use my laptop, read a book or just nap.

On a 200 mile journey if you're doing the 60 trucks do instead of the 70 cars do you'd be 30 minutes faster at 70.

A company like ZipCar could leverage this technology. They'd be in a good position to ensure that the cars are properly maintained to ensure the trains function smoothly. Customers would request transit from one city to another and be given a rendezvous time. Rendezvous would only be allowed for vehicles with fuel tanks more than 3/4 full.

I wouldn't want to have to rendezvous at a time and place. That would kill this idea.

You'd also have to take into account people with small kids. I wouldn't use this if I had to stay in the convoy for the whole trip. I like to stop fairly frequently, otherwise the kids get bored, restless and upset.

I think it's likely only to work if you get on the motorway catch up to a convoy and then join it - Which I think is the way this works.

I think it's likely only to work if you get on the motorway catch up to a convoy and then join it

Actually, that's what I meant, only with just a bit of coordination.

... so that others have a hard time getting on the exit lane.

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