Re:S.F. says incidents by Cruise, Waymo driverless taxis are...
by blobbers on Saturday July 15, 2023 @01:49AM
(#36733961)
You're not wrong. It's not clear why we're not building something slightly heavier, but still lightweight that is inherently slightly more stable at a stop or very low speed (ie an electric tricycle). It would seem that something like that with an integrated roll cage would be a better solution.
That said, the problem with better solutions is that they need to not only compete with the existing solutions, but also coexist.
The problem with cars? People decided that bigger cars are safer: cars have gotten bigger and bigger.
Look at what a Toyota Camry looks like from 1987 vs. 2023.
1997: 174", 2235lbs.
2023: 192", 3284lbs.
That means a car grew 1.5 feet... 10%. But the mass? Up 50%, over 1000 lbs.
edit: (okay lbs are not mass, its force... but you know what I mean. Nobody talks in slugs)
That said, the problem with better solutions is that they need to not only compete with the existing solutions, but also coexist.
The problem with cars? People decided that bigger cars are safer: cars have gotten bigger and bigger.
Look at what a Toyota Camry looks like from 1987 vs. 2023.
1997: 174", 2235lbs. 2023: 192", 3284lbs.
That means a car grew 1.5 feet... 10%. But the mass? Up 50%, over 1000 lbs.
edit: (okay lbs are not mass, its force... but you know what I mean. Nobody talks in slugs)