Hacker Read

Dave3of5 · 2022-10-31 10:58:01

So you can buy this thing off the internet install it yourself and let it drive your car around for you.

How legal would that be if it crashed my car or ran someone over?

My mind is blown here. Obviously it only works with specific cars that can turn the wheel for you so my 2015 ford focus is impossible but I mean wtf.

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Gargoyle | karma 1587 | avg karma 3.39 · | 2017-01-10 22:52:59+00:00

Nothing would be stopping you from driving the car. It just wouldn't drive itself.

jandrese | karma 30121 | avg karma 3.36 · | 2018-02-22 14:11:11

It's only available in a small handful of cars and only works on certain roads. I have no doubt that one of these super-cruisers will be surprised by something and crash into it once they start racking up miles. Driving is dangerous.

letlambda | karma 166 | avg karma 2.96 · | 2017-12-08 01:06:38+00:00

My lawyer can drive himself, but it only works with BMWs.

IshKebab | karma 13023 | avg karma 1.29 · | 2022-12-18 13:48:22

It wouldn't need to be able to safely drive itself, just safely pull over.

ttymck | karma 1057 | avg karma 1.5 · | 2023-11-10 11:30:54

And then I can drive it on the road? Who is selling these vehicles?

oaktowner | karma 650 | avg karma 3.12 · | 2014-12-22 23:43:14

This generation of cars doesn't have a "wheel" at all -- there is literally no steering wheel and no way for a human to operate it.

So legislation will clearly need to change before these are street legal.

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missblit | karma 1003 | avg karma 4.14 · | 2014-07-30 17:16:42+00:00

It's allowed in a few states in the US.

Last time I went to California I saw one up close, that was pretty neat (though I don't know if it was driving itself at the time)!

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empath75 | karma 15699 | avg karma 2.9 · | 2019-08-08 21:02:05+00:00

you would if it drove itself.

benj111 | karma 3842 | avg karma 0.84 · | 2023-03-08 02:48:15

>legally drive in the US

I'm sure it's got enough stepper motors.

Not sure about the 'legally' part though.

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fgsfds028374 | karma 35 | avg karma 0.67 · | 2023-09-29 11:48:51

It can be purchased by a consumer and driven on public roads.

In what sense is it not one?

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natch | karma 6856 | avg karma 1.47 · | 2019-03-01 02:36:43+00:00

You can if your friend has one they will let you drive.

SkeuomorphicBee | karma 2177 | avg karma 8.44 · | 2021-09-26 13:56:35

How is this legal? In what country is this car sold? I don't think it would be considered road legal where I live.

readhn | karma 438 | avg karma 0.78 · | 2019-10-19 21:37:55+00:00

I am a mature and experienced driver and I drove FWD and AWD cars all of my life. On several occasions i stopped myself from buying a powerful RWD sports car .... just because of all the cases where (even experienced) drivers spin out and crash while taking "high speed" turns in poor traction conditions. I know that ill most likely push my car and not being able to control it - freaks me out! I cant even imagine giving someone else to drive a 700HP monster (with me not being in full control)!!!

The next car this (and other) shops build (if they survive the law suit) will come with a stack of "release of liability" documents for the buyer to sign. I 1000% guarantee that.

Its stupid on their part that they sold the car to him without release from any potential liability if he crashes the car or injures himself and others, like in this case.

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azhenley | karma 20145 | avg karma 7.2 · | 2019-03-01 01:34:58+00:00

You can test drive them.

thrower123 | karma 4136 | avg karma 1.45 · | 2022-02-05 19:30:54

It's illegal to sell new cars people like you and I want to buy, unfortunately.

adamwong246 | karma 799 | avg karma 2.38 · | 2015-12-17 23:21:34+00:00

Ok, consider that wager taken.

I think the key parts of the wager are 1) that the car drives itself, without a human present 2) it's in the Bay area and 3) it's legal.

I'll see you in 5 years.

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lowlevel | karma 307 | avg karma 1.73 · | 2019-02-20 07:54:08+00:00

Who is asking for this? Even if they can get them to not kill people and co-exist with human drivers... why would anyone want to own one of these? Why wouldn't you just hire/summon one as needed?

nexuist | karma 3997 | avg karma 3.13 · | 2021-06-20 14:24:29+00:00

The point is that you can drive the car onto any road, not that it would be any good at it. I can buy a Camry and drive it off a cliff into the ocean. It's my right as its owner to do that. If Toyota said, nope, even though you paid full price for this car we're still not going to let you drive it off a cliff, I would be upset at that limitation. Even if my intention is not to drive it off a cliff.

It's about allowing the consumer to use the device however they see fit, there's no expectation that the car should be able to do everything outside of its operating range well.

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anentropic | karma 1960 | avg karma 1.69 · | 2016-02-11 12:50:44

yeah but who'd want to drive it on an actual road...?