Engineers at the Berlin Free University have designed an ingenious method to reduce road congestion and traffic by using cars that drive themselves. The team has developed a ‘dial-a-car’ system that allows users to call for a car via their smartphone or iPad, at which point it will automatically drive to wherever they are in order to pick them up.
The car, called MadeInGermany (MIG), will then drive to wherever it is summoned using a combination of satellite navigation, 3D imagery and laser scanners. This mix of systems allows the vehicle to heed traffic lights and road signs and ensures that the car doesn’t crash into any objects… or pedestrians. Once its route is calculated, the ‘smart car’ will even inform you of its ETA and how long you’ll have to wait.
OK, but will it stop at pedestrian crossings if it sees a pedestrian waiting at the crossing? This is required if it wants to be compliant with traffic regulations… at least in my country. Don’t think they are this far in behavioural analysis…
Congratulations, you’ve invented a taxicab, minus the employed human driving it.