I'd also add visibility/being able to check the blind spot in them. Also, they generally drive like they're invincible. Just a pattern I've noticed, hatchback boy racer vibes. I generally ride my bike a bit faster than the traffic and I'll get passed like I'm standing still. It's not really kosher having vehicles like that and inconsiderate drivers.
A couple of weeks ago I was driving along a steep valley with constant winding hairpin turns for over an hour, and I'd never been more aware of the fact that the pillars prevented me from seeing any oncoming traffic whatsoever when curving (extremely) left, even if I craned my neck as far as I could to the right. The pillar just blocks it all out.
It was really disturbing to drive knowing you just can't see if there's oncoming traffic or not, and if they're in their lane or drifting into yours. You just have to hope and pray everybody's staying in their (narrow) lane.
Absolutely sucks from a safety and awareness perspective. I consider myself a really responsible and careful driver, and I hated being put in such a literally blind situation.
My dev friend and I were looking into doing a similar product a few years back. We stopped because of laws that prevent you from putting anything that may obstruct you or another drivers vision / attention.
To answer the headline: I'd actually pay extra for a human driver. This stuff is giving me the creeps. Not even as a passenger, must more as a blind pedestrian.
If your vehicle is heading relentlessly toward a group of schoolchildren it would be nice to have a way to override it. Either that or no windows so you won't be haunted by it every night of your life.
I will attest to this. One of the most talented drivers I used to race with had a glass eye from a childhood incident. Also met a delivery driver with one blind eye.
The problem is mostly software. And it is far from solved right now. But it will be. My money is still on driver augmentation.
What about the field of vision? As cars become quieter, I'd love to be able to "sense" one coming from behind, especially when I'm walking in rural roads with small shoulders.
your half-joke is not a bad idea actually. I think an ominous red Cylon eye would not be desirable though. however, it seems like a pretty good idea to have a forward facing device in the car that scans for and attempts to visually signal pedestrians. it makes a huge difference for traffic safety if the pedestrian knows that the car has noticed them.
This has already started - look up the discount some insurers give to owners of Subarus that are equipped with EyeSight. The numbers show their collision avoidance is making roads safer.
Also, interesting fact: Subaru is achieving these impressive stats using stereo vision, not lidar.
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