On 3 Dec 2024 at 1:55, Evan Foss via EV wrote:

> they are hiring remote drivers.

The Optimus* robots that served guests at the big robotaxi event in October 
were remotely controlled, too.  

That was just a clever parlor trick, unless you're an investor being fooled, 
but with remotely controlled cars you're in a whole different game. 

IMO, they'll be remotely UNcontrolled.  

How can they get low enough latency, especially once hundreds or thousands 
of these robotaxis are chewing up bandwidth?

What happens when the car does just well enough on its own for the driver to 
get bored and inattentive?  That's already a problem with backup drivers in 
the cars.

Will the remote drivers be able to *feel* what the car is doing, or will 
they just have sight and maybe sound?  You need *all* your senses to handle 
a driving emergency.  And, again, in real time, not delayed milliseconds.

Even low-wage remote drivers will be expensive.  I bet there'll be pressure 
from management and investors to cut the cost by making the backup drivers 
double up on cars - or worse.

Would YOU want to be a remote driver?  Could you take the stress?  What if 
you sliped up and someone died?  How would you feel?  What would happen when 
the dead kid's family sued you?

I'm not just talking about Tesla.  This applies to all attempts to remotely 
control "autonomous" vehicles.  

This is a science fiction dream for owners, managers and investors, and a 
nightmare for the rest of us.

*Only Elon Musk would name his robots after a Radio Shack audio brand from 
the 1970s.  :-\

David Roden, EVDL moderator & general lackey

To reach me, don't reply to this message; I won't get it.  Use my 
offlist address here : http://evdl.org/help/index.html#supt

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     Elon [Musk] desperately wants the world to be saved, but only if he 
     can be the one to save it.

                                                           -- Sam Altman

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