[rooringhusky]

Originally Posted by James T. Kirk

Everyone keep your sensors clean... or you're dead.

Haha

Those sensors look fugly btw...even for prototypes

[SE3P_to_E90]

This brings new meaning to the expression: "Ultimate Driving Machine."

What drives you? Surely, not myself.

This would come in HANDy under some scenarios... especially when we have a significant other in the car that wants to get... HANDy

This might interfere w/ a posting a few months ago... regarding the future of BMW Navigation systems... the one where it automatically plans your route based on past driving habits... I see a conflict of interest here... you know, when the significant other is getting handy and it automatically plans your route to the ex's.

[Dmacc]

This could potentially either be disastrous, our pretty awesome too. Driving cross country, being able to take nap break by yourself. Imagine seeing someone in the driver seat napping while they're on the freeway, what would your first thought be?

[M12Power]

Money and resources would be better spent developing teleportation technology so BMW can put themselves (as well as everyone else) out of the car business...

[bimmerJP]

At the beginning, we have to drive and change the gear all by ourselves. Then, we still drive ourselves, but the car change the gear for us. Now the car is going to drive itself? Hell no. The reason I love driving (BMW) is because I like the feel! Joy of driving ftw. No for the ultimate "self-driving" machine. Still, I think it's great to do the research though. Maybe it can save some lives in the future. Just maybe...

[Joop!]

Brilliant piece of engineering...

...but unfortunately one step too far.

I want to drive the car myself... Otherwise I can better take the bus or the train to my destination.

[Frosty]

if i was stuck in traffic... (like i was today due to flooding in NJ) like car to car slow crawling this would be nice... overtaking on the highway.... no!

[Shazmonkee]

Originally Posted by flux

That would be very interesting how law would change due to this.
I'm interested to see where this goes. I'm surprised the majority is not.

It's because most people fear and hate change. They only care about how they won't be able to drive cars or paranoid that machines would "take over the world". Pretty sure BMW wouldn't be as successful as today without their innovative concepts.

Just because the article talks about an automated-driving vehicle, people freak out.

Also, I think BMWs target market is majority pre-Web2.0 era. I bet "kids" today will be more open to innovative ideas like these when they're actually adults, which is probably when these ideas will probably come to full fruition. Smart move to me--might as well prepare for the next generation market since the current major one will die off sooner or later

[JoeyBananaz18]

Originally Posted by Shazmonkee

It's because most people fear and hate change. They only care about how they won't be able to drive cars or paranoid that machines would "take over the world". Pretty sure BMW wouldn't be as successful as today without their innovative concepts.

Just because the article talks about an automated-driving vehicle, people freak out.

Also, I think BMWs target market is majority pre-Web2.0 era. I bet "kids" today will be more open to innovative ideas like these when they're actually adults, which is probably when these ideas will probably come to full fruition. Smart move to me--might as well prepare for the next generation market since the current major one will die off sooner or later

But you're missing a major point. If this was a self automated Rolls Royce, sure no problem. That's supposed to be the ultimate in luxury motoring. It would be amazing.
A self automated BMW is an oxi-moron. It defeats the purpose of a BMW in the first place.
Imagine how boring a formula 1 race would be if vettel, Hamilton, and Alonso were replaced with robots. Not too exciting. It wouldn't be "who is the better driver?" it would be more like "which team makes the better micro processor?"
And not for nothing, with all the cost cutting BMW does on it's current cars, would you really trust snarls automated BMW? They can even get a HPFP to function properly, but they think they can use artificial intelligence in there cars. Not quite.
There is a place for this technology, just not in a BMW.

[Imola.ZHP]

Originally Posted by panicos81

more like disconnected drive..

[kozzi]

Why all the hate on future development? I don't understand. There are plenty of senerios where technology like this could come in real handy. Commercial transport, firetrucks, police, rescue...the list can go on and on. Stuck in traffic? Tired? DRUNK? BMW, please take me home!!! The haters seem to be the future grumpy old folk muttering 'damn kids' while their grandchildren are in flying bmws.
BMW needs to keep pushing boundries to remain one of the best motor companies in the world.

[nate82]

Originally Posted by brummelenj

Brilliant piece of engineering...

...but unfortunately one step too far.

I want to drive the car myself... Otherwise I can better take the bus or the train to my destination.

+1

[mycoupe]

Originally Posted by Hulley

You so silly, kids dont have Dads these days..........

[mycoupe]

Personally, I don't see a problem with this. Make automated electric vehicles for the road, and then make the sports cars that make power for tracks. So you have to buy two vehicles now and one is only used where it should be "used" in the first place...the track. Also, worldwide emissions would plummet. Just seems like a win win to me. Imagine all the extra school work/work/planning you could get done if you didn't have to pilot your own car every damn minute!?!?!

And you BMW is why I drive people...god damn you're lame. Get over yourself and the brand. BMW's are great cars yes, but it's not like you're driving an Aston, Lambo, Ferrari, etc.

[t7n7]

SOLD!

[kenni243]

This is dangerous shit...! How can a computer have better natural reflex then a human brain??

[Simsims]

imagine the tunes:

JB4 - 15seconds faster around the ring!

COBB - pick your own dirty actress voice!

[M3Bahn]

Originally Posted by Dmacc

This could potentially either be disastrous, our pretty awesome too. Driving cross country, being able to take nap break by yourself. Imagine seeing someone in the driver seat napping while they're on the freeway, what would your first thought be?

I'd rather sleep through the boring parts then drive on the fun roads.
Can't wait for this to be available.

[Zebra99]

I say this is great for all the retards in the world. And for those who just love driving, your steering wheel awaits. Too bad it will bring up prices on all models a gazillion dollars, as if BMW's weren't expensive enough!�

[Blue55]

Isn't anyone here aware of the Google car? They've logged over 140,000 miles to date with no driver intervention. This article is from 11 months ago. This is technology that already exists and Google has done more than any other company in this space.

http://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/science/10google.html

"MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif. — Anyone driving the twists of Highway 1 between San Francisco and Los Angeles recently may have glimpsed a Toyota Prius with a curious funnel-like cylinder on the roof. Harder to notice was that the person at the wheel was not actually driving.

The car is a project of Google, which has been working in secret but in plain view on vehicles that can drive themselves, using artificial-intelligence software that can sense anything near the car and mimic the decisions made by a human driver."

Video here:
http://video.nytimes.com/video/2010/...-no-hands.html

[M3Bahn]

Originally Posted by kenni243

This is dangerous shit...! How can a computer have better natural reflex then a human brain??

Have you been in a commercial jet lately?

Most of the flight is done on auto pilot and in bad weather even landings.

[M5007]

Originally Posted by OdomPHD

"BMW: Take me to the airport."

Sexy computer AI:

"Autopilot Engaged. Waypoint: JFK International. ETA:39 minutes. Would you like me to brew some kaffe in my glovebox, pilot?"

Why yes please, with three shots of espresso and display my stock portfolio and headline news followed by streaming quotes on the IPO we just launched.