SAMANTHA ENSLIN-PAYNE: I'll be carrying a red flag ahead of self-drive cars
Alarm set in this week when my husband told me, quite glibly, that General Motors was ready to roll out self-drive cars. I had heard about it, of course, but had just scoffed at the idea. But now, with it close to becoming a reality, how will I back-seat drive? If a machine is in control, who would I tell what lane to move into and when? Where to park - could I still influence that decision? It was reported this month that GM had begun rolling out the first mass-produced, self-driving cars that could be available once regulations allow. "This isn't just a concept design - it has airbags, crumple zones, and comfortable seats," Kyle Vogt, head of Cruise Automation, a technology startup owned by GM, was quoted as saying. Vogt said the cars were being made "in a high-volume assembly plant" capable of producing hundreds of thousands of vehicles a year. And though it will be a while before these cars clog up the roads, in a few weeks they would transport Cruise employees in San Francisco,...
Would you like to comment on this article?
Sign up (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Subscribe now to unlock this article.
Support BusinessLIVE’s award-winning journalism for R129 per month (digital access only).
There’s never been a more important time to support independent journalism in SA. Our subscription packages now offer an ad-free experience for readers.
Cancel anytime.
Questions? Email helpdesk@businesslive.co.za or call 0860 52 52 00. Got a subscription voucher? Redeem it now.