Amid considerable fanfare, Las Vegas launched its driverless bus yesterday - and in less than two hours, it ran into a semi-truck. Officials were proud to lead the nation by unveiling the first driverless shuttle pilot project, and dozens of people were lined up awaiting their turn s for a free ride. They must have been disappointed....
The oval-shaped shuttle that can transport up to 12 passengers has an attendant and computer monitor, but no steering wheel and no brake pedals. It uses GPS, electronic curb sensors and other technology to make its way.
And not very effectively, by all appearances.
It looks as though they focused more on aesthetics than anything else; that oval design is just so darned cute. And what could be more comforting than traveling in a self-driving egg?
Um...how about traveling without running into stuff?
"THE FUTURE IS HERE", indeed.
