XPost: rec.arts.sf.written, rec.arts.sf.science   
   From: jclarkeusenet@cox.net   
      
   In article , bap@shrdlu.com says...   
   >   
   > On 14/01/14 18:25, Doc O'Leary wrote:   
   > > So while self-driving cars are definitely possible, my point remains   
   > > that they'll be ushered in surrounded by a cloud of changes to the way   
   > > the world works.  Some of those changes will be easy to predict, and   
   > > some with be complete surprises.  It's just outright*wrong*  if all you   
   > > do is apply today's thinking to a world where a fanciful technology is   
   > > commonplace.   
   >   
   > I could probably put together a design for self-driving cars that could   
   > be built with today's technology. What I can't see is a transition state   
   > where some cars are self-driving and others aren't.   
      
   Google is making cars today that are self driving, built with today's   
   technology, and coexist fine with cars that aren't self-driving.   
      
   > I think it might   
   > have to be a big-bang transition where from 00:00 on day zero all cars   
   > are required to have all of the systems in place and operational.   
      
   In which case it will never happen.   
      
   > Cars   
   > (and other vehicles) without the system become museum pieces literally   
   > overnight. It might be simpler (and cheaper) to build a completely new   
   > system and scrap every existing vehicle rather than trying to retrofit   
   > vehicles that were not designed to be self-driving.   
      
   And who is going to pay for all this?   
      
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