Hop in for a spin on driverless bus
How do you fancy being transported around Dublin Docklands on a driverless bus? You’ll get the chance later this month when, as part of European Mobility Week, the Easymile EZ10 will carry up to 15 people at a time, including wheelchair passengers, on a 1km route with four stops between the Convention Centre and the 3Arena.
Operated by Dublin City Council and the Civic Group to highlight the Smart Docklands programme, the EZ10 is a driverless, electric shuttle that uses advanced cameras, processors and sensors that enable the trip to run smoothly. The EZ10 already is in daily
You can put it to the test between 2pm and 5pm on Friday 21, and between 11am and 5pm on Saturday September 22. Also on the Saturday, the Future Mobility Showcase on North Wall Quay will promote alternative transport such as shared bikes, e-bikes, electric scooters and car clubs.
There are many who say they never would take a driverless bus, but whether they know it or not, they’ve already been on aeroplanes that fly themselves. Autonomous technology had advanced to the point where many cars now are practically self driving. Earlier this year, I drove an Audi A5 from my home in north Co. Wexford to south Dublin, though I barely drove it at all, because the car read the speed limit signs, slowed and then accelerated again all by itself, and stuck to every curve in the road thanks to the lanekeeping technology.
The main barrier to fully autonomous driving is not the technology, but the lack of legislation allowing for it – even in cars that steer themselves, you still have to place your hands on the wheel every 10 seconds or so to prove you’re still alert.
Self-driving cars will create a whole new set of issues – can you be held responsible for an accident if the car crashes? Will you need insurance? Since the car always is sober, can you get in while over the limit?
We’re told we’ll all be in selfdriving cars within 20 years. That seems overly optimistic to me. For now, I’d be happy enough just taking the bus.