[blindlaw] Self-driving car, NPR story

[Bill Reif]

Please remember that so long as human intervention is possible to 
extricate a self driving car from an improper decision it made, sighted 
people will insist on the qualification of sight to be an operator -- 
that is, unless, the blind have demonstrated their ability to safely 
direct a vehicle in ways beyond entering a destination address.  The 
Google cars in question did have humans available to intervene.  Unless 
we have demonstrated the ability, we will not be given the right.

Cordially,
Bill

On 2/17/2012 10:13 AM, Michael Fry wrote:
> 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
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