Beyond Cuckoo

Auto Pilot

Okay, so am I the only one concerned about these new driverless cars that Google’s come up with? Rest assured that I am all for anything that helps the disabled to move through this world in comfort. However, should a sightless person be driving? Well, maybe. How much worse could they be? At least they couldn’t text and drive.

Seriously though, let’s look at the logistics. The subcompact car will look something like a computer mouse. It has no steering wheel, gas or brake pedals and, at first, will go no faster than forty miles per hour. The passenger pushes buttons to start and end the ride. The route is set with either manual or verbal commands to a Global Positioning System (GPS). Cameras and sensors conceivably will prevent accidents.

So, I can see this in controlled situations. You know, college campuses, hospitals, factories, airports,  maybe even golf courses and parks. An entire new generation of blind golfers could emerge and join the ranks of the too lazy to play real sports crowd. All they need is a way to get around the sand traps and water hazards. What could be more perfect?

But, street legal? Supporters of this idea say that these cars could eliminate drunk and distracted driving. This is a good argument? What if you spill your coffee, cocktail, soft drink or nail polish on the dashboard and the whole thing shorts out? Computers crash just like cars and simply stop—in real or internet traffic.

Finally I ask, “What IS Google’s real purpose here?” Google as the largest provider of geo-location information, and with the car’s computer  dialed in to their data systems, what are the chances that they will follow you? Google collects data through e-mail and search engines,  now they’ll be able to tell where you drive, how often you go there and whatever else you do in or with your car. Jealous spouses might like this idea, but to me it’s simply Beyond Cuckoo.