Hacker News

I’ve always looked at cars like factory equipment. They should do the job you ask and nothing more. Granted, more comfortable and prettier than factory equipment, but as far as functionality, it should be a static piece of metal until I start it, do the needful of spinning the motor and wheels and then stop. Anything else is a distraction from driving which I consider to be a distraction risk.

All these new cars with multiple screens, operating systems, internet connectivity, auto assists… it’s like we’re creating an entertainment center on wheels. Why bother the poor driver with the idea that they’re flying down the highway at 80 when you can convince them they’re in a floating living room?

Driving should be scary because it is, and the more we distance people from the road they’re driving on, the more of a surprise it will be when their “automagic” car sends them into a wall it didn’t detect.

Now add on the privacy issues that the car company makes wicked profit on and you’re making cars for the manufacturer and forgetting that the goal was to deliver the driver safely to begin with.

They want us to forget somehow that driving is one of the single most dangerous things people do daily. If you’re not completely alert being the wheel, you shouldn’t be behind it at all.