Self driving cars and tornadoes

[Raymond Mason]

You know, since self driving is going to become a very popular thing. They might be able to detect floods in the road, mud and land slides, but I somehow doubt they will be able to detect tornadoes.

Imagine someone sitting in the car with no controls what so ever and there is a tornado heading for them. Just even hazard weather in general and dangerous storms. Might seem unlikely, but if they get popular enough it could become a real safety issue.

 

[rdale]

If it is completely autonomous (i.e. no override) then it will know there is hazardous weather ahead.

 

[Raymond Mason]

Hello thanks for the reply! What I am talking about is just the average person driving down the road and there is a tornado approaching their location. The tornado could or could not of been reported. I don't know, I am just thinking of the possible hazards with self driving cars.

 

[rdale]

I'd tell the car to turn around and get to the closest shelter

 

[Todd Lemery]

I'm wondering if the car would recognize a flooded road. A back country road hit by a flash flood might be an issue....

 

[rdale]

The radar would be able to detect water depth.

 

[Karen St John]

One could perhaps reprogram to chase storms...

 

[Doug Russell]

My fear is that one day these cars will be so smart that will refuse to convey storm chasers to their targets.

 

[Greg Flint]

My Guess is Texas panhandle or any areas in tornado alley will not high on Google or Mobileye's list for cities that encompass the technology roadmap that will be required for autonomous driving.

The smart car will be able to detect warnings issued by the NWS, so if a flood zone is detected the car will direct itself and passengers to the most direct route around the hazard.

In terms of a tornado, I wouldn't worry about it. I'd be more concerned with chasers driving or parking their car out in traffic than the tornado itself.

 

[Tim Paitz]

My Guess is Texas panhandle or any areas in tornado alley will not high on Google or Mobileye's list for cities that encompass the technology roadmap that will be required for autonomous driving.

The smart car will be able to detect warnings issued by the NWS, so if a flood zone is detected the car will direct itself and passengers to the most direct route around the hazard.

In terms of a tornado, I wouldn't worry about it. I'd be more concerned with chasers driving or parking their car out in traffic than the tornado itself.

Unless those self-driving cars park themselves in traffic.

 

[Jason Foster]

One could perhaps reprogram to chase storms...

The next big income maker for someone(s). Hahaha.

My fear is that one day these cars will be so smart that will refuse to convey storm chasers to their targets.

I hope the voice says "nope....nat uh....youz crazy yo".

Self-guided vehicles seem to be individually autonomous only under controlled, mostly urban and suburban environments. I suspect the advantages to chaser are more numerous than detractors. Imagine being able to check out the models runs and more while driving to a target. Or even better (as they get better), sleeping on the way to a target.

Downside is as mentioned, the impact on merging and such. I can even see (though remotely) legal changes to road regulations as the masses embrace. But for the next few years, our biggest issues won't be self driving cars.

 

[Steve Holmes]

Send the cars to a SKYWARN session.