[blindlaw] Self-driving car, NPR story

[Michael Fry]

Hi everyone,

I'm sure some of you heard the story this morning on NPR about self
driving cars.  If you missed it, here's a link to the story.  Maybe
these self-driving cars will be here in a couple years.  It would be a
minor
miracle for the visually impaired.  And it'd be good for everyone.
Check out the story and let me know what you think.  Here's the link.

http://www.npr.org/blogs/alltechconsidered/2012/02/17/147006012/when-the-car-is-the-driver





On Tue, Feb 7, 2012 at 6:42 PM, Michael Fry <mikefry79 at gmail.com> wrote:
> Hi Daniel,
>
> I share your frustration with the slow pace of technological
> advancement in the feild of treating blindness and driving cars.
> Unfortunately, I also share your apprehension about this technology
> being viable anytime soon.  I also have been let down many times with
> perdicitions of break through that never come to pass.  My honest
> opinion is that the technology for reliable self-driving cars exits
> right now.  Further, if there were a real strong demand, I think these
> self-driving cars could be on the roads soon.  I base this on many
> news stories I've heard recently about the Google self-driving car.
> Several companies have working prototypes.  It is tragic that we live
> in a time where, these break throughs are dramatically hamstrung by
> goverment over regulation.  Moreover, I don't think the demand is all
> that high because besides the visually impaired most people don't have
> a strong demand for them.
>
> I'm not sure about insurance.  I'm sure some companies will ensure
> self-driving cars once there is a track record to make actuarial
> records.
>
> Nevada has legalized these cars.  However, I think there is only one
> self-driving car in the state and it is a prototype of Googles.
>
> Realistically, I don't there will be self-driving cars for at least a
> decade and that's only if there is a strong demonstrated demand.
>
> I hope you found my opinion interesting and helpful.
>
> Mike
>
> On Tue, Feb 7, 2012 at 9:30 AM, Daniel McBride <dlmlaw at sbcglobal.net> wrote:
>> Dear Mike:
>>
>>
>>
>> I have read the list emails today regarding transportation issues for those
>> of us that are blind/legally blind, in which you mention the computer driven
>> car.
>>
>>
>>
>> Is the car you speak of the prototype that was demonstrated at a NASCAR
>> event a year, or so, ago?  If so, when does NFB project that these vehicles
>> would be available to the general public?
>>
>>
>>
>> Also, you mention that Nevada has made allowance for these cars to travel
>> within their state.  What is the trend for any other states to join Nevada.
>>
>>
>>
>> Additionally, what is the position of the insurance industry regarding these
>> cars?  Unless these cars can be insured, they cannot be operated in any of
>> the 50 states due to mandatory auto insurance laws.
>>
>>
>>
>> Finally, what is the projected cost of these cars should they ever reach the
>> market?  For 36 years I have been hearing about this, that or the other cure
>> or solution for those of us with retinitis pigmentosa.  The hopeful project
>> is always based on a theory/prototype with practical application some 10 to
>> 15 years ahead.  To date, not one of the projects has come to fruition.
>> Further, those that have been examined, had they proved successful, would
>> have been cost prohibitive to all but the extremely wealthy.
>>
>>
>>
>> Based on the past 36 years of history in this area, I cannot hold any hope
>> that I shall have access to a computer driven car at any time in my life and
>> I am 56 years of age.
>>
>>
>>
>> I would appreciate your thoughts in this regard.  Thank you.
>>
>>
>>
>> Daniel McBride, Attorney
>>
>> Fort Worth, Texas
>>
>> dlmlaw at sbcglobal.net