HACKER Q&A
📣 s_r_n

Why aren't remote human drivers a thing?


I saw an article today where Steve Wozniak said he didn't think autonomous cars would come to fruition during his lifetime. However, I have not read very much about any sort of innovation around a system that uses human drivers to control vehicles remotely. Why isn't this idea being explored more?


  👤 icedchai Accepted Answer ✓
Connectivity in general. You need a 100% reliable, low latency, high bandwidth connection. Milliseconds matter in an emergency.

👤 TheEndless
Maybe because it still requires a human to be occupied during the task, and they also don't have physical safety stake in the activity. I don't think I'd feel quite at ease if a driver over the Internet had my fate in their hands. Also that brings up the fact that latency and failure of wireless communications could mean death.

👤 udayrddy
I do not see any use case with it. If I have to remote control it, I would rather control directly. Isn't the whole purpose to make use of your time on other works instead of driving?

👤 thecrumb
Tunnels? Overpasses? Trees. Thinking about how many times my satellite radio fades out.

👤 tdeck
They are a thing. This company is doing it with trucks: https://www.starsky.io/

👤 raztogt21
no skin in the game for the remote driver

👤 wingerlang
Imagine driving a car over Skype