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paulnpace 3 days ago

I now see their development vehicles all over the valley, whereas previously if I was near the Strip that's the only region I would see them in.

This valley has congestion issues pretty much all day everywhere, plus a traffic light management protocol that results in very long light cycles.

Many of us when coming to a red light where there are multiple lanes and traffic is light, will make a point to not stop in the right lane when there is no right turn only lane. This is so people who are making a right turn can make a right on red instead of waiting for a green.

Zoox does not do this.

Sometimes there is not quite enough space between vehicles to get into a lane while cars are stopped at a light, such as getting into a left turn lane. Often, some light taps on the horn (or even just sitting with the turn signal) will result in drivers pushing up tight to let you into the left turn lane.

Zoox does not do this.

Zoox will change lanes many times for no apparent reason, making drivers think it is turning right or left at the next intersection, but it does not turn.

As best I can tell, Zoox has issues with pedestrians. I think that the operator (in the test vehicle) takes over when pedestrians are present, because so far I always see them operating the steering wheel when there are pedestrians.

As a driver, I don't like any of the automated drivers because I feel there is a thing that can do serious damage and nobody is accountable. These are all owned by corporations whose sole accountability will be financial, nothing more, while drivers are held to both financial a punitive accountability.

Further, these are all mega-conglomerates for whom there is no real regard for the destruction their property causes. They are politically connected, so will never lose their operating license. The are funded by the largest investors mankind has ever known. Nobody in these organizations has any respect for morals or ethics, instead fostering a system that promotes psychopaths.

I don't want them here. I haven't spoken to anyone who lives here that wants them here.

standardUser 3 days ago | parent | next [-]

Waymo has been a good actor in every way I can think of so far. They're transparent, their expansion is cautiously paced, and their safety record exceeds that of human drivers. I'm not sure what more we could ask for. Tesla on the other hand seems determined to put cars on the road ASAP and just hope for the best, but local regulatory hurdles seem to have stopped them for the most part. Zoox, from what I can tell, is taking the Waymo approach.

paulnpace 3 days ago | parent [-]

> Waymo has been a good actor in every way I can think of so far. They're transparent, their expansion is cautiously paced, and their safety record exceeds that of human drivers. I'm not sure what more we could ask for. Tesla on the other hand seems determined to put cars on the road ASAP and just hope for the best, but local regulatory hurdles seem to have stopped them for the most part. Zoox, from what I can tell, is taking the Waymo approach.

Why change the topic to safety?

octernion 3 days ago | parent | prev [-]

[flagged]

paulnpace 3 days ago | parent [-]

> you sound pretty entitled and have a set of "rules" that aren't traffic rules.

> i'm glad we will have robot cars to keep folks like you in your place. you aren't entitled to make the rules of the road.

Nobody is required to be polite and considerate while using a shared resource, and if your opinion prevails, we will, indeed, have a cold, heartless society.

It is mildly interesting to me that you interpret being polite and considerate as "rules". I made no such claim.

I do find it rather belittling to claim I feel "entitled" - perhaps you could refrain from this level of discourse or go to one of the places more appreciative of adolescent behavior.

octernion 3 days ago | parent [-]

heartless society is when someone has to wait at a red light for a few more seconds. and yes, enumerating a set of silly non-law "rules" you expect drivers on the road to follow is the definition of entitlement.

paulnpace 3 days ago | parent [-]

> heartless society is when someone has to wait at a red light for a few more seconds. and yes, enumerating a set of silly non-law "rules" you expect drivers on the road to follow is the definition of entitlement.

Many of the traffic lights in this valley are more than 5 minutes per cycle. You are completely naive to the facts of the discussion you have entered.

Please quote my above comment where I stated my expectations of all drivers.

This form of sophistry is not recommended in text-based discussions.

octernion 3 days ago | parent [-]

oh the humanity, maybe on the order of a few minutes. that changes nothing. we should be inconveniencing human drivers more, if anything.

that you feel obligated to use words like "sophistry" tells me everything i need to know about you.

paulnpace 3 days ago | parent [-]

> oh the humanity, maybe on the order of a few minutes. that changes nothing. we should be inconveniencing human drivers more, if anything.

> that you feel obligated to use words like "sophistry" tells me everything i need to know about you.

You are evaluating one traffic light in a long series of traffic lights. At this moment, the grocery store is 2.8 miles and 17 minutes from my house. This is a typical short trip in this valley. Everyone complains about the congestion and terrible drivers (who, BTW, will not be replaced by self-driving cars). Driving here sucks, and self-driving cars make it just that much worse.

That you naively make assumptions and express opinions from these assumptions tells me everything I need to know about you.

octernion 3 days ago | parent [-]

hmm all of my assumptions have been wildly correct and you are just further confirming it. good stuff my dude. sorry you choose a place like that to live. sounds miserable.

i'll be sure to wave at the other drivers next time i'm in town in a zoox or waymo and then go back to doing literally anything else than driving.

paulnpace 3 days ago | parent [-]

> hmm all of my assumptions have been wildly correct and you are just further confirming it. good stuff my dude. sorry you choose a place like that to live. sounds miserable.

> i'll be sure to wave at the other drivers next time i'm in town in a zoox or waymo and then go back to doing literally anything else than driving.

You will remain free to be self-righteous.