© Michael Shick - Commons Wikimedia
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Google_self_driving_car_at_the_Googleplex.jpg
When talking about self-driving vehicles or cars, some of you might remember what was probably considered the most iconic self-driving car of all times…
It was the year 1982 and a new series called “Knight Rider” introduced us to a specially customised Pontiac model known as KITT—an acronym for “Knight Industries Two Thousand". A car not only able to self-drive, leap into the air, accelerate to 300 mph, but also capable of speech and even engaging in intelligent conversation! But most importantly, KITT was designed and programmed to help its driver, the dashing hero of the series, fight injustice at every opportunity.
Knight Rider KITT, Photo Credit: Driving Spirit.com
http://drivingspirit.com/10-iconic-cars-of-tv-film/knight-rider-kitt/
If you were among the enthusiastic fans of KITT, you may also be well aware of the CES (Consumer Electronics Show) that takes place every January in Las Vegas. According to the press, the quantum leap made by the industry in the field of self-driving vehicles has been the top attraction of this year’s event.
Google, Apple and Tesla as well as other companies are working in order to get the perfect driverless vehicle. Many US states have already granted license to manufacturers of such vehicles to access US roads for testing. According to researchers, self-driving vehicles will be affordable and especially helpful for elderly people or those with special needs.
According to AA director Conor Faughnan, driverless vehicles will also have a positive impact on road safety and particularly on drink-driving: "In ten or fifteen years, rural publicans may well see their customers drinking and afterwards tell their car to safely bring them home. The technology is literally already there to do this. It's just a matter of time until the legal and social norms catch up."
Engine for in-vehicle artificial intelligence showcased at CES 2016, Photo Credit: Techyhints.com
http://techyhints.com/techs/nvidia-reveals-drive-px2-supercomputer-for-self-driving-cars-ces-2016/
David Hasselhoff, the star of Knight Rider and also former owner of the 1986 Pontiac Firebird 5.0-litre V8 145hp (which was even showcased in Co. Kildare, Ireland, in 2014), has probably never asked KITT to pick him up after a night out at the pub, but it is indeed an example of how this technology could be helpful. On the other hand, only time will tell if self driving vehicles will completely eliminate the likelihood of an accident, will be safely operated without the help of a human his knowledge on how to manage them safely...
