But do you know how easy it is to have self driving train compared to self driving car? Because trains only need speed control. Honestly trains are already almost self driving and only needs human inputs occasionally.
You’d think so. But at least Germany struggles massively with missing personnel to staff trains (which includes roles beyond the driver). As far as I know there is no automated solution on the horizon for any form or scale of train traffic. The only self driving trains I have experienced require tight control of the rail environment (entirely underground or lifted above the surface) and special stations with airlocks.
Maybe there is just more money in self-driving cars. But I’m pretty sure they will happen before wide spread automated trains. Which sucks.
Yeah I think it’s the money issue. The companies have more money making self driving cars. Specially since the incremental advancements make them more money on every new car sell.
While trains don’t have incremental advancements with sells associated with them. They have less training and incentives. But technology wise it is definitely easier to control speed 1D, while mostly looking at the front (maybe back) compared to the degree of control/sensors cars need.
That’s not most trains. Those are highly specialized and constrained applications. There are already self-driving taxis in certain defined city areas, so they’re still ahead by that standard.
Trains don’t self-drive, though.
Edit: Okay, for the pedants: most trains don’t self-drive.
Automated guideway transit
SkyTrain (Vancouver)
What’s the Best Transit for Small Cities? (12:13) | RMTransit
Rio Tinto world-first autonomous trains network now fully operational, Hamersley & Robe River railway
But do you know how easy it is to have self driving train compared to self driving car? Because trains only need speed control. Honestly trains are already almost self driving and only needs human inputs occasionally.
You’d think so. But at least Germany struggles massively with missing personnel to staff trains (which includes roles beyond the driver). As far as I know there is no automated solution on the horizon for any form or scale of train traffic. The only self driving trains I have experienced require tight control of the rail environment (entirely underground or lifted above the surface) and special stations with airlocks.
Maybe there is just more money in self-driving cars. But I’m pretty sure they will happen before wide spread automated trains. Which sucks.
Yeah I think it’s the money issue. The companies have more money making self driving cars. Specially since the incremental advancements make them more money on every new car sell.
While trains don’t have incremental advancements with sells associated with them. They have less training and incentives. But technology wise it is definitely easier to control speed 1D, while mostly looking at the front (maybe back) compared to the degree of control/sensors cars need.
Someone has never been to most airports. Or Disney World.
That’s not most trains. Those are highly specialized and constrained applications. There are already self-driving taxis in certain defined city areas, so they’re still ahead by that standard.
I was in Barcelona last month and the metro was automated. Some trams in Switzerland too when I was there two months ago
I’m not a city person but I assumed that was just normal now.
Dunno if you’re from NA but if so just remember you might be a decade behind on public transport
Most trains aren’t public transit, either. They’re freight haulers.
DLR trains do, and several airport trains.
Some London Underground lines have drivers that only intervene in the automatic operation of the train in an emergency or abnormal condition.