The biggest problem being behind the wheel of a self-driving vehicle is resisting the urge to drive it yourself.
As part of its rollout of self-driving vehicles for its ride-sharing operation, Uber invited members of the media to take rides in its Ford Fusions souped up with lasers, cameras and computers. About halfway through the demonstration ride, the emergency driver pulled into a lot just off River Avenue on the North Side and the technician beside him asked if I wanted to sit in the driver’s seat. No hesitation here.
After I manually pulled out of the lot, we engaged the self-driving system. My job: hover my hands above the steering wheel and my foot above the brake or gas pedal so I could take over the vehicle’s operation by touching any of them if it became necessary.
But when you have been driving for more than 40 years like I have, it’s not as easy as it sounds. Put me behind the wheel and I want to drive. I don’t use cruise control. Many times I’m not even a good passenger.
But left to its own devices, the Fusion handled itself flawlessly whether it was me or the Uber driver behind the wheel. The car followed a pre-programmed loop from the Strip District, past the David L. Lawrence Convention Center, across the Clemente Bridge and down River Avenue to the 31st Street Bridge.
The car automatically followed the speed limit, activated turn signals as it approached intersections and stopped at stop signs, red lights and behind stopped vehicles.
Several times, not trusting the system as much as I should have, my natural inclination caused me to touch the brakes as we approached other vehicles with brake lights on. When I controlled myself, the car regularly came to a smooth stop on its own.
While the Uber driver was in charge, he took over operation several times, particularly when there were maintenance trucks in the curb lane just after we turned onto the Clemente Bridge from Fort Duquesne Boulevard. The Fusion would have stopped, he assured us, but it was easier to manually steer around the trucks.
In the Strip District, again with the Uber driver, the Fusion nimbly switched lanes as it worked its way around delivery trucks on Penn Avenue. I’m sure I would have been compelled to intercede.
There was one near hiccup while I was in charge.
As the Fusion drove itself toward the 31st Street Bridge on River Avenue, a motorist parked along the side of the road opened his door into traffic. Rather than wait a millisecond to see whether the car would react, I immediately touched the brake, took control and swerved around the open door.
My takeover occurred seamlessly, with no hesitation by the system. The technician assured me I had done the right thing, although he was convinced the system would have handled if without my intervention.
But I couldn’t resist.
Ed Blazina: eblazina@post-gazette.com or 412-263-1470.
First Published: September 14, 2016, 10:20 a.m.