Two cheers one for Microsoft one for Ohio

OH-MY-OH  OHIO—MOVEMENT IN THE RIGHT DIRECTION FOR SELF-DRIVING

Self-driving observers have two  things to cheer about  this week.  No, not the fact that trucks without drivers will roll in Virginia (those are nothing new) nor new sensor  arrays on some of the existing domestic offerings.  

So what are the. Two things worth cheering about?  Microsoft has  decided to wade into the self-driving arena.  Ordinarily this would be a big so what for the whole. Industry is centered around. Computer technology and  gee isn’t Microsoft involved in computers somehow?  

well... you see for people with disabilities, Microsofthas really stepped up lately and demonstrated a  healthy new commitment to access.  Apple has also shown such a commitment so the entry of the other titan in the computing world increases the odds of  access tremendously.  Does this ensure accessible self-driving?  Oh hell no!!! However it opens a new avenue for advocacy and design in this emerging tech space and if per chance a healthy  competition breaks out—-well darn.  

The second huge cheer goes out to  Ohio—well not the whole state—there’s got to be some characters of ill-repute in the dark alleys of Dayton.  However, for the first time self-driving  will be explored to a great extent in “rural” areas.  Let’s face it there are less people to move in the farm country or the ranch. Country—yet the folks living  in these spaces have far less  in terms of existing. Transportation options.  Testing and refining  this option for the country roads could. Create new employment and social opportunities  for all sorts of elderly and disabled citizens.  

So hedre’s two cheers—one for Microsoft and one for Ohio.   These  are two steps in the right direction—let’s see if we can keep the wheels turning so to speak.

Set up with the feds?

FED UP WITH FEDS: WHEN WILL  LAWMAKERS AND. POLICY PEOPLE  GET THEIR  REAR BUMPERS  IN GEAR AND LEAD?

Several “self-driving”  news sources pointed out  that Minnesota  is now engaging in the process of  developing  laws  and policies  related to self-driving.  They are not the firsat state to do so and will be not. Be the last.  In other news, Tesla announced putting. A more powerful processor in their new cars and WAYMO announced they would  share data and be testing in Arizona dusts storms.   I link these two events because  they are very much the same.  How? WAYMO is trying to navigate a geographic space where the environment is very unclear and  in order to move forward  the appropriate thing to do is to  act and get their knowledge base  up to speed so that things will progress.  Well that needs to happen.at the federal government level when it comes to self-driving.  Automation of the driving (and many other processes) industry is inevitable.  Congress should be showing leadership in this area  but is just sitting there because it is too complicated.  Let’s make it simple.  Transformative  change in transportation  needs tohappen because lack of. Mobility impacts the lives of way too many  citizens.  Instead of  sitting back ands trying to decide which modes of transportation must be affordable and accessible it’s time to say “they all must and move to the question how do we make that happen?” Asa reader of this  blog—or the friend of this blog—or no matter who you are —please ask your local policy makers to share their plans to incorporate  self-driving into the transportation infrastructure.  If they  don’t have a response then ask them why they don’t

We’re not asking for a wall here...we may be asking to tear one down, but, as the federal folks sit idly  by state after state struggles to build  the cars of the future and the  environment around them.... Do we need 50. Sets of laws.  Which brings  me full circle. Back to Minnesota.  It is the land of 1,000 lakes and while those are pretty when we get to be the country of 1,000  conflicts  based on local transit  laws....and that would truly be a massive  pile-up on I-27 or I-35

So can the press start asking congress to  get. This done or decide to only  provide updates  on. What just happpened rather than providing. A. Push to educate.lawmakers... I. Have my opinion

If the system won’t change then become the system

INCHANGING THE SYSTEM-

Anyone who has actually read  most of these posts understands that they contain  encouragement for inclusion.  However, up to now this  blog has neglected something that cannot be neglected at this point

It is readily apparent that  the current “system” by which cars are developed, laws about them are constructed, and transportation options emerge, are not  making many visible  strides toward direct participant participation when it comes to people with disabilities.  In other words, the system isn’t changing and  probably will not.  

Well  so be it.  That leaves an avenue that hasn’t been highlighted  much—become the system!  

People with disabilities  can have a great deal. Of influence over what happens in the future of transit but it  may take some back door methods.  If you have a son or daughter encourage them to study robotics.  If you are still training  for work look at the self-driving  training available and  get.involved in it at the ground level.  Learn some things about urban planning or rural. Development.  Learn a little. About  coding (writing the instructions for  the machines involved).  In short Change the systems by becoming the system.  

Offer to write  news stories or editorials or send in letters to the editor often enough  that the. Local. Press knows there’s a voice out there shouting.  Send an e-mail to. Your local debate team director asking them to debate on the  topic of self-driving.  

These are ways to  change the system by becoming the system—

Since. This blog has not focused a great deal of attention on these matters the next five entries will be focused  in just that area.  

Much. Like that often  quoted mantra— be the change you want to see...well in this case become s the system you wish to influence.  There are many dooors to open and we can’t wait for others to open them.

Congress is starting to move and lawyers are getting involved stuff could happen

https://www.law.com/legaltechnews/2019/08/08/what-lawyers-say-can-get-congress-self-driving-cars-bill-in-drive/

DON’T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS— MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN

After two years of  being on the shelf  collecting dust, it appears that federal lawmakers are seriously looking at enacting some self-driving  related legislation.  How do we know it is time to act?  Well lawyers from  all sides including insurance companies are starting  a push to influence the law.  When  lawyers get involved you can rest assured that industries  are talking to lawmakers about language and obligations.  Please check out the above. Link as it is one of the few  places that disability is mentioned.  

It would be great  if large  institutional players would get into this discussion and now!  The NRA (no not that NRA  The National Rehabilitation Association should get its members educated and motivated.  NCIL and APRIL the nations two most important  disability rights organizations should start to blow the trumpet of involvement for  the centers for independent living their staff members, and consumers of disability services.  APRIL  has led the charge on many  transportation legislation  activities over the past couple decades and needs to extend a special effort  now.  It is not enough to say “it is all covered under the ADA’ as our current  transportation. Are far from inclusive and  accessible for all citizens wishing to participate in the social side of their communities.  

Does every. Self-driving vehicle need to be accessible?  Yes if the government is going to. Own or pay the operation of  any of them.  Is this a practical goal for all car. Makers?  Yes.  If you have asked  people 100 years ago whether  this nation would be covered with automobiles freeways, and would people  get into  metal tubes and be flying around the world many  folks would have looked at you strange.  Oh and if you  would have described a smart phone and the internet  to folks 50 years ago they would have been shaking their heads.  

If a company refuses to meet this guideline that’s simple enough—just don’t let them operate  in our country.  I hate  to use the gender or race cards, however they apply here.  Could you imagine  if car makers were allowed to  state that our cars are not to be  driven by caucasians  or females with red hair?  Well that might create a stir I’d think.  

Anyway to sum up the legislation around. Self-driving at the federal level is starting to move and people with disabilities and the primary disability rights organizations need to. Become very active  before things are too  late.  The civil rights of too many are at stake and we should not be  caught. ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL” if we can get into the car to start with.

DON’T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS— MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN

After two years of  being on the shelf  collecting dust, it appears that federal lawmakers are seriously looking at enacting some self-driving  related legislation.  How do we know it is time to act?  Well lawyers from  all sides including insurance companies are starting  a push to influence the law.  When  lawyers get involved you can rest assured that industries  are talking to lawmakers about language and obligations.  Please check out the above. Link as it is one of the few  places that disability is mentioned.  

It would be great  if large  institutional players would get into this discussion and now!  The NRA (no not that NRA  The National Rehabilitation Association should get its members educated and motivated.  NCIL and APRIL the nations two most important  disability rights organizations should start to blow the trumpet of involvement for  the centers for independent living their staff members, and consumers of disability services.  APRIL  has led the charge on many  transportation legislation  activities over the past couple decades and needs to extend a special effort  now.  It is not enough to say “it is all covered under the ADA’ as our current  transportation. Are far from inclusive and  accessible for all citizens wishing to participate in the social side of their communities.  

Does every. Self-driving vehicle need to be accessible?  Yes if the government is going to. Own or pay the operation of  any of them.  Is this a practical goal for all car. Makers?  Yes.  If you have asked  people 100 years ago whether  this nation would be covered with automobiles freeways, and would people  get into  metal tubes and be flying around the world many  folks would have looked at you strange.  Oh and if you  would have described a smart phone and the internet  to folks 50 years ago they would have been shaking their heads.  

If a company refuses to meet this guideline that’s simple enough—just don’t let them operate  in our country.  I hate  to use the gender or race cards, however they apply here.  Could you imagine  if car makers were allowed to  state that our cars are not to be  driven by caucasians  or females with red hair?  Well that might create a stir I’d think.  

Anyway to sum up the legislation around. Self-driving at the federal level is starting to move and people with disabilities and the primary disability rights organizations need to. Become very active  before things are too  late.  The civil rights of too many are at stake and we should not be  caught. ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL” if we can get into the car to start with.

DON’T MAKE ASSUMPTIONS— MAKE CHANGE HAPPEN

After two years of  being on the shelf  collecting dust, it appears that federal lawmakers are seriously looking at enacting some self-driving  related legislation.  How do we know it is time to act?  Well lawyers from  all sides including insurance companies are starting  a push to influence the law.  When  lawyers get involved you can rest assured that industries  are talking to lawmakers about language and obligations.  Please check out the above. Link as it is one of the few  places that disability is mentioned.  

It would be great  if large  institutional players would get into this discussion and now!  The NRA (no not that NRA  The National Rehabilitation Association should get its members educated and motivated.  NCIL and APRIL the nations two most important  disability rights organizations should start to blow the trumpet of involvement for  the centers for independent living their staff members, and consumers of disability services.  APRIL  has led the charge on many  transportation legislation  activities over the past couple decades and needs to extend a special effort  now.  It is not enough to say “it is all covered under the ADA’ as our current  transportation. Are far from inclusive and  accessible for all citizens wishing to participate in the social side of their communities.  

Does every. Self-driving vehicle need to be accessible?  Yes if the government is going to. Own or pay the operation of  any of them.  Is this a practical goal for all car. Makers?  Yes.  If you have asked  people 100 years ago whether  this nation would be covered with automobiles freeways, and would people  get into  metal tubes and be flying around the world many  folks would have looked at you strange.  Oh and if you  would have described a smart phone and the internet  to folks 50 years ago they would have been shaking their heads.  

If a company refuses to meet this guideline that’s simple enough—just don’t let them operate  in our country.  I hate  to use the gender or race cards, however they apply here.  Could you imagine  if car makers were allowed to  state that our cars are not to be  driven by caucasians  or females with red hair?  Well that might create a stir I’d think.  

Anyway to sum up the legislation around. Self-driving at the federal level is starting to move and people with disabilities and the primary disability rights organizations need to. Become very active  before things are too  late.  The civil rights of too many are at stake and we should not be  caught. ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL” if we can get into the car to start with. Blogging 

Rural America being left in the dust when it comes to self driving

RURAL AMERICANS  WITH  AND WITHOUT DISABILITIES BEING LEFT IN DUST AGAIN?

earlier this week the media around self-driving was all about NYC and it’s new self-driving shuttles.  Before that  it was self-driving trucks in the Dallas TX area.  There were even some stories about robotic charging stations being “rolled out” by VW and some delays in Solar /sun roofs for Tesla.  Sometimes  what is not being said speaks far louder than was is being said and in this case there seems to be some truth to that old adage.  

What about small town  America and the farmlands?  When are we going to hear about  people with disabilities  from these parts of our country and transportation systems being  included in the emerging tech?  There is  some movement in Grand Rapids MI, which some people would call the middle of nowhere but that’s simply not the case.  It is a smaller progressive city and transportation advocates  have been working hard there for years.  Still GR is not Yale or Harbor Beach or any number of small towns where there transportation challenges that might be. Addressed by  self-driving  options (or any options).  It’s a plain and simple fact that people with disabilities  in rural America have had few options for far too long already and many small communities  would be happy to host test projects just so folks could  get to the local farm and feed stores.  There are seniors  who live in assisted living and other retirement  homes that are experiencing isolation and yet we aren’t hearing of  shuttles being tested  in Perry Iowa or Buzzard Breath Wyoming.  It seems as if some  self-driving companies are quick to  shine in the spotlight of  the Big  Apple but they are  laying a big fat goose egg in the land of corn and chickens...

Come on lawmakers, if the car/transit people aren’t going to do this for  rural folks, it is time for you to step up and demand it of them.  Come on just one major manufacturer—make the headlines by breaking down these  small town and rural barriers to inclusion.  In most of rural America you wouldn’t have to worry about traffic congestion except at fair time or maybe harvest time.  Grab some headlines by being the first and being the best at it.  Come on reporters start to notice what we are not hearing about  the corn growers, wheat farmers, and dairy  producers being added to the list of people experiencing  this new technology.  

 To sum it up we have  people who live in and near communities that feed the world and are limited  by lack of options—don’t let these people get left in the dust that rises from the fields that feed  the nation.RURAL AMERICANS  WITH  AND WITHOUT DISABILITIES BEING LEFT IN DUST AGAIN?

earlier this week the media around self-driving was all about NYC and it’s new self-driving shuttles.  Before that  it was self-driving trucks in the Dallas TX area.  There were even some stories about robotic charging stations being “rolled out” by VW and some delays in Solar /sun roofs for Tesla.  Sometimes  what is not being said speaks far louder than was is being said and in this case there seems to be some truth to that old adage.  

What about small town  America and the farmlands?  When are we going to hear about  people with disabilities  from these parts of our country and transportation systems being  included in the emerging tech?  There is  some movement in Grand Rapids MI, which some people would call the middle of nowhere but that’s simply not the case.  It is a smaller progressive city and transportation advocates  have been working hard there for years.  Still GR is not Yale or Harbor Beach or any number of small towns where there transportation challenges that might be. Addressed by  self-driving  options (or any options).  It’s a plain and simple fact that people with disabilities  in rural America have had few options for far too long already and many small communities  would be happy to host test projects just so folks could  get to the local farm and feed stores.  There are seniors  who live in assisted living and other retirement  homes that are experiencing isolation and yet we aren’t hearing of  shuttles being tested  in Perry Iowa or Buzzard Breath Wyoming.  It seems as if some  self-driving companies are quick to  shine in the spotlight of  the Big  Apple but they are  laying a big fat goose egg in the land of corn and chickens...

Come on lawmakers, if the car/transit people aren’t going to do this for  rural folks, it is time for you to step up and demand it of them.  Come on just one major manufacturer—make the headlines by breaking down these  small town and rural barriers to inclusion.  In most of rural America you wouldn’t have to worry about traffic congestion except at fair time or maybe harvest time.  Grab some headlines by being the first and being the best at it.  Come on reporters start to notice what we are not hearing about  the corn growers, wheat farmers, and dairy  producers being added to the list of people experiencing  this new technology.  

 To sum it up we have  people who live in and near communities that feed the world and are limited  by lack of options—don’t let these people get left in the dust that rises from the fields that feed  the nation.

Ford acquisition creates opportunities and prompts new thinking

Training  Drivers for the Self-Driving  Era

This week Fordd brought Quantum Signal under its corporate wing.  Why is this significant?  QS is  probably the world’s premiere remote  control entity world wide.  So... it seemed. That Ford is ramping up to have a number of vehicles capable of being operated from remote locations.s.  

For  people with disabilities , this is a big step forward.  It means that  in order to participate in the new transportation  options, a person may not need an operator’s license and still be able to travel independently.  A person could. Buy a self-driving car and someone from a remote. Location could  guide the vehicle if  needed when by chance the  self-driving features had a glitch.  

This brings two questions forward.  What will  getting a driver’s. License look like in the  near future?  Will people. With disabilities need to  be able to  decide when remote driving takes over completely and have to have knowledge. On what todo in case of emergency disruptions in their routes?  Will there need to be new driver’s strainingg training?  In a world where the  featureas of cars will become  different?  When will that training begin?  Who will train the trainers?  Who will write the. Materials and what state  agencies will need to get up to speed?  These are not only. Important questions...they are urgent ones as  people with disabilities have waited long enough, the technology is here, and  more is coming.  

Right now congress (the US Congress is  considering national self-driving legislation and these. Are some of the elements that might be included.  

Self-driving is coming (and already here to a certain extent) so there needs to be some urgency and activists and advocates need to make sure inclusion and access. Are part of the mmuch-needed. Government guidance.

What are some other  rules that may make sense?  That will be the subject for the next  entry.  

The real fight for equality starts today in the self driving ring

Let’s Get. Ready  to Rumble...The Fight for Civil Rights , aInclusion, and Equity in Self-Driving is Ready to  Start ...

For months nothing much has happened to encourage. Folks with disabilities  in the self-driving.realm.  All of the big stories have been about  mergers and expected launch dates.  a few stories have. Featured state mandates being. Passed etc.  

Now it would appear the real fight for  inclusion and civil rights  on our roads. Is being put back into  gear so to speak.  

The US  Congress is about to. Pick up the issue of self-driving or EV/EVs after dropping the  effort for a good year and a half.  

That means advocates who have disabilities and their allies  should be writing public comment and contacting. Congressional leaders right away.  

This. May be a topic that  congress actually  won’t play politics  with and there is some broad support for action.  That means we have to get  good language and enforcement  on the books and soon.

Get out and make the calls, write when asked to  make public comment — there may not be another chance as good as this.  It’s time to go for it so we can go for groceries and cold beer later!

Also advocacy attempts are starting to show up in the Google  feed on this... good work!!!

Believe what we say or what we do some interesting survey outcomes

SELF-DRIVING—THE SURVEY SAYS???

There have been countless surveys describing how today’s drivers do not trust self-driving  cars.  Of course it is always  dangerous  to bring the facts into an emotional debate, however a recent finding by Lifts (a taxi service in Los Vegas that employs driverless technology  might shed some light on things.  They surveyed potential passengers and found that. 75% of those people were uncomfortable  with ther idea.  However when presented with the actual option of using a driverless or self driving option 80% of their target population actually used  a self-driven vehicle and 96% of those who used the option would use it again.  

Take a moment to soak that in.  Three fourths of the same people saying they didn’t want to trust these emerging vehicles and that was reported  out to the public.  Then 80% did it and nearly 100% would take this option again.  This leads to question that I asked months ago...how many people were. Reluctant to  convert.from horses to automobiles?  Did we do surveys on that and if so wherre’s the reporting about this?  The reality  is that people  have adapted  remarkably  quickly to change in transportation once it became  aavailabnle and usablee.  

Maybe it is time to stop asking these survey questions and turn to more important questions.  For example, how does this impact insurance and insurance law.   What can cities do tho prepare for  these. Carts?  At what level of education are we going to begin  teaching future. Robotics and mechanics employees to repair  massive amounts of these vehicles?  Well the time is now to begin working. Harder on these important matters and. Quit wasting. Time on the popularity contast.  After all I  remember a fairly  well supported theory that the world was flat and that the earth was at the center of the universe.... how did those. Publicly  supported decisions/assumptions work. Out?  

You see we are not as afraid of these vehicles as threaten to take away jobs.  Well how about if we start thinking about just how many jobs  an economy with new jobs and new social participants might  make possible?

The next. Few versions of this  blog will address exact question...

Until than remember  that opinions should be respected however  those formed after experiences might hold more value.

Roll on!

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH...AND THIS JUST IS NOT

Yesterday there was some social media regarding a meeting sponsored the. Auto Makers association in Washington D.C.   The meeting was the second in a series of three scheduled meetings to discuss accessibility  in the autonomous vehicle industry.  

There are  an estimated 54 million people with disabilities in the US and their are. Millions and millions more senior citizens who will eventually  be expected to function in the world of future transportation.  Yet, the car makers  are scheduling. 3. Meetings in one of the most expensive, hardest places to  economically access cities. In the country and limiting the number of participants in order to  gather input with no binding decisions that are being guaranteed after these sessions.   So there is only one question?

How would an elderly blind. Guy from  Northern  Wisconsin  get his views included?  

Here are a few other questions.  With. The amount of money being invested. In the exploration and expansion of this product, is it too much to ask  that the department of. Transportation and the.builders hold at least one open forum in each state and on an annual. Basis.  Americans  in the public sector and the private sector will be investing millions no make that billions in the dev elopement of these products and processes—is it nreally too much to ask ?  Should each state be required to set up a disability and elderly  transportation  council?  You could sunset the. Group after. About 25 years when all has been decided and integrated.  

The questions could go on and on and on

And on

And on and on—

For now could the US department  of Transportation just establishes a Information and Resferral Office for this industr?  

Well maybe after the third  meeting all kinds of information will be released, however, given what was produced edafter.\ Tthe first meeting, I have real doubts.  

Come on it is simple.  People with disabilities and older citizens deserve. more information,  more independence, more input, and a much greater level of participation than is being demonstrated.  Like the  title says....

ENOUGH IS ENOUGH AND THIS IS NOT ENOUGH 

(Below find the link to the second  meetings tweet—but we should hear. more that a chirp regarding this critical matter!

https://www.mnn.com/green-tech/transportation/blogs/when-it-comes-aging-place-self-driving-cars-wont-save-us

BMW answering questions about technology but not about equality thoughts?

THE PROMISE OF SELF-DRIVING  IS REAL—BUT  IS IT FOR EVERYONE?

It is not good social media practice to send someone away from. A page and ask you to come back, however if you want to hit the link first, I won’t be  all that angry.  However, first can you think about this?  as you watched this  did you see any specific attention being paid to access for people with disabilities  or the elderly?   Did you hear anyone discussing how  the law in the US might be flexible enough to. Let  people with disabilities save assets in order to afford such a vehicle?  So while these things are coming these great vehicles, will everyone  who might. Benefit from this great tech be anywhere close to. Being able to. Use them?   

If you are an advocate for tech being. Something  that benefits people, or a believer in equality of any type and especially a disability advocate, please start contacting. Care makers and law makers and demanding that accesss be built in and promoted by any and every car makers  who are. Deep into the process of making  this technology a reality?

Okay here’s the link.  Enjoy your ride in a BMW well 

https://youtu.be/PhSooO33Eus

https://youtu.be/PhSooO33Eus

Electronica vehicles quiet? I hear crickets

WAYMO OFFERS FREE WIFI—WHO WILL OFFER  FREEDOM?

From time to time most people get a song stuck in their minds and it plays over and over and over again.  Well the world of self-driving must have a song stuck in their. Heads...”the let’s  merge until wee  can lead in a particular. Market  space song.  This week marks about the eighth week in a row that mergers  lead the story line.  Of course there were a few more states and cities  putting together idiosyncratic  laws. And regulations about self driving because no national leadership has emerged in the area yet.  

Then  there is always at least one headline about  consumer confidence in these vehicles and now this week WAYMO says they will have. WIFi.  

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

So What?  When are we going to hear transportation providers talk about true accessibility efforts?  When. Are the headlines going to  say “Toyota wo offer  three ways to achieve wheelchair access to their new. Electronic  Vehicle?  When is Ford going to acquire Freedom Scientific  so that all digital  screens in their  cars  have Jaws capability on all digital read-outs?  

I haven’t seen this happening yet and I’m not sure whether to  hold Ford (and others) responsible or maybe. It is time  people start targeting the “Jaws”team.  Maybe the “AT” folks need to  pitch themselves harder.  It’s a real problem that  there is no news  of access/mobility venders being tapped by traditional automakers and their new tech companies.  Is it’s problem  that results from  the fact that a wheelchair that has the electronics of a 1985 Atari costs  35 Grand and enjoys the status of a medical device so companies like. Invecare  (sp) don’t want to be exposed as extorting people with disabilities and their insurers?  It would be a crying shame if  al large manufacturer mass produced mobility. Devices that fit into their self-driving vehicles  and charged somewhere close to the actual cost of production for  that feature.  

In summary ther news in self-driving stays about the same for yet another month.  Company A is merging with Company B and buying  Company C  State  X is enacting  their own unique AV legislation.  Oh, and as far as affordable , accessible options for all?—Still crickets.

Maybe self driving cars should put passengers in real jeopardy to see what happens

MAYBE SELF-DRIVING VEHICLES SHOULD PUT MORE PEOPLE IN JEOPARDY

Certainly, one is not suggesting we don’t develop relevant and effective safety standards for the emerging  forms of transportation?  Certainly, one is not suggesting  that engineers ignore passenger safety by  using brittle glass body designs with no seat belts or air bags?  How about  speedometers and other. Gauges—get rid of these too?  

HELL NO—all of these things are very necessary.

Now stop for a moment and think of the “Jeopardy” perspective—not safety—the game show. 

What happens in the show?  

All correct answers must come in the form of a question.

Here is where the  vehicles could  get a clue “buy a vowel” so to speak.  Maybe instead of the global  race to incorporate in order  to make tech grabs and market expansions, IT’S TIME TO UNDERSTAND THAT SUCCESS WILL COME IN THE FORM  OF ASKING THE RIGHT QUESTIONS?

To date I have seen multiple partnerships and mergers, a stream of tech acquisitions etc.  What I have not seen is a single questionnaire from a major  vehicle. Manufacturer asking useful questions like?

How do we design these  vehicle to maximize their utility for the widest range of  dpassengers or navigators?  What geographic  areas are in the category that might. Be considered  “underserved” by current options and how  does the vehicle we produce close the cultural and economic. Gaps  created by uneven distributions of current options? How can multi family purchase or lease  agreements become  commonplace so that single occupant. Vehicles can sometimes. Be available, but always be the norm?  

What are the  possibilities of converting our current transportation options into self driving, accessible, affordable, and environmentally less harmful options?

It is sad thatthe general public, you know the people who might use vehicles in the future, are not being asked by the manufacturers to help answer the questions above.  

Do the car makers intend to just invent a bunch of options and say “here.” “Pick what you feel 100% comfortable with and can afford?  If that’s the case, then citizens have lost an important opportunity to help shape their future prospects in the area of”getting places independently and safely.  

Listen very closely and you can hear Alex calmly reveal the final Jeopardy answer/clue

The most effective way to solve issues in transportation transformation that could start immediately

And the correct answer/question would be.

EVERY maker of existing and emergent  transportations enterprises can do is ....

ASK THE PEOPLE. WHO WILL USE IT. WHAT THEY. NEED!!!

So far, however. GM, Ford, Volvo , Toyota WAYMO, and Now Apple haven’t. Made a concerted effort to do so and  time is running out....so we may all be in final Jeopardy of. Losing the best  chance of improving thins since we decided to leave our horses in their pasture and  take out the horseless carriage.  

Unfortunately, the winnners and losers will not be limited to  three game show contestants—it will impact the entire planet.

Pepperoni priorities or sausage silliness and self driving

DRIVERLESS PIZZA?  Should  Pepperoni with Sausage really be our Priority?

A popular pizza chain has started a buzz about  a goal of having  deliveries completed by autonomous vehicles.  

Now I like pizza. More than some and as much as the average American at least—and have never developed a long-term attachment  to a particular driver so this is nothing personal.  The  reality here is that there are people out there who can’t get places like doctor’s  appointments, school events, family reunions etc because transportation options are  not accessible or affordable and now scientists and engineers are going to be focusing. Time on getting my  hand-tossed pie delivered in 30 minutes or less?  

I am not much for. Government regulating. Things, however, maybe we could figure out a way. For  me to order a pizza and have the delivery car pick up a couple of friends along the way?  

Maybe we could. Impose a $1.00  surcharge to be  used to make affordable. Accessible. Options possible  through the sale of  cheeses bread and a veggie supreme?    Maybe a drone delivered. Happy meal could make someone. Happy because it  came with a 50 cent  charge that guaranteed  assistive technology for. All citizens who  truly can’t afford  iPhones and mobile plans?  

The point I’m making is about. People vs. profit or people and profit.  Maybe a  food vendor  could have driverless delivery if they hired a. Certain  percentage of. Underemployed  citizens?   I don’t know it just seems we need to have some innovative through  around the policies here.  Are we going to have a food delivery lane on the Santa Monica  Freeway? 

I’m not going to beat a dead horse, because. The horse didn’t. Cause the lack of thinking. Here...but  what happens when. A frat orders a pizza car and the neighboring frat  kidnaps it or  just accidentally interrupts its mission...not like that would happen right?

Okay all I’m going to say is let’s. Make some socially responsible decisions about the use of our resources ok?

But if we can’t I’ll take my technology with extra cheese—thanks