Robotic robuCAB takes you on a slow speed, autonomous ride of doom
By Donald Melanson 
posted March 13th 2008 12:58PM
posted March 13th 2008 12:58PM
We've already seen strikes caused over the introduction of some relatively minor technology in taxis, but that's nothing compared to the brouhaha that could be in store one day in the future, at least if things like the robuCAB are any indication. That seemingly innocuous vehicle pictured above (along with an approximation of a future model) is developed by France's Robosoft, and has apparently proven itself successful in the limited uses it's been put to so far, with it relying a a series of cameras that keep track of the curb and some sensors placed beneath the ground. Needless to say, those requirements should let cabbies rest easy for now but, given other recent developments, it seems pretty likely that the Great Taxi Strike of 2025 is becoming more and more inevitable.
Johnny Cab!
Tom!
Did somebody say Doom?
NEDM
Course it plays.
but only on downtime. wouldn't want to look up front and see your cabbie fragging away as he drives you home.
I, for one, welcome the advent of our subtly smirking but generally pleasant cabbie-bot overlorfs!
i certainly welcome them more than the cabbies who terroize the streets of san francisco every day
The door opened. You got in
The fare is 18 credits please.
We hope you enjoyed the ride!
Oh, no.
You have been eaten by a robo-Grue.
Is that taxi on the right from Total Recall?
Why yes, yes it is.
Back story... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjRXyWFLkEY
Johnnycab: Please state the street and number.
Douglas Quaid: Shit, shit!
Johnnycab: I'm not familiar with that address. Would you please repeat the destination?
[Douglas Quaid rips Johnnycab from the floor, and throws him in the back]
Don't forget the classic Arnie dialog... "Arrugruaghuruagh!"
At this rate, all the human cabbies can strike all they want - the robotaxis will never strike!
Until they gain self-awareness, that is...
Exactly! If robo cabbies are looming, that'll probably "encourage" the real cabbies to stay on the job. That is, of course, unless the big hand of government reaches in to once again stall technological progress and make it illegal to give a real cabby's job to a robo caby. That should tick-off the robots of 2025...
Johnny Cab. I love it!
Does anyone else think he looks like William H. Macy?
I think it's Max HeHeHeHeHeHeHeDrom's brother.
I'd feel silly riding around in a over-sized popcorn machine.
The French are used to it! Zing!
(Seriously though, I drive one, I just couldn't resist a stab at the French.
Great. Why deal with an actual human when you can have a robuCAB robuBLIND.
I'm glad I'm not the only one who immediately read that as rob-u-cab.
You have to wonder how naive the people who come up with these things are.
I've seen this story elsewhere, and every time I can't help but read it as "Rob-U Cab". Doesn't make me want to take a ride...
Frankly, I'd rather have robo airplanes before robo cabs. Somehow I just don't robo cabs will be aggressive enough to survive the mean city traffic...
I got a better idea, paint one of the DARPA challenge vehicles yellow and have it drive around instead.
http://eeuauaughhhuauaahh.ytmnd.com
oh the patented arnold noise: "Uuaugh!"
that movie came out when I was a kid - did anybody else get freaked out cuz of the sparks shooting from his mouth?
Johnnycab is creepy.
I about busted a gut laughing at the ahhhnold bit! It's not a tooma!
"Baby, you make me wish I had three Hands" - one of the most f*ckin classic lines EVER
Why not just stick ASIMO in the front seat .