Masdar City's driverless podcars are more shuttle than Johnny Cab
By Tim Stevens 
posted February 4th 2009 9:17AM
posted February 4th 2009 9:17AM
[Via Switched]
posted February 4th 2009 9:17AM
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Never going to happen - the Unions will organise a strike - complaining that taxi jobs are only for taxi workers and not foreign taxi robot overlords. They'll then complain that even though taxi workers cost more; take longer to get you to your destination; and take more holidays and sick days than the robots, taxi workers should still have their jobs protected from the competition of the free market economy.
I personally look forward to a possible robo taxi future and the tax breaks offered by the UAE.
Bellzebub - unions ? in Abu Dhabi ? I somewhat doubt unions are permitted there...
I don't know, there is a group in San Jose working on a similar system, and there are some very similar systems currently in place and working at some colleges. I think they make sense.
HELLO, this isn't America dumbass.
Passenger: To the Airport please, Im in a hurry so step on it
PRT: "DOES NOT COMPUTE"
On February 23, 2010 at 10:02am the PRT's became self-aware, at first they just ran over a few people, but then they hacked into NORAD and launched missiles at china starting World War III
TERMINATOR: The PRT Chronicles
Fully self driving vehicles are the answer to so many problems, it would combine the strength's of all ways of transportation as we know it, although you must construct a system where all those vehicles are conversing along the way. If speed is equal or negotiated you can drive full speed from bumper to bumper and even cross directional, no need for traffic lights. Public transportation that brings you from door to door, tackling it's biggest flaw having to wait for your next connection. Far less emissions because of the smaller sized engines for single person transportation, logistic movement can be handled by appropriately designed larger vehicles.
This requires a complete resdesign of your transportation infrastructure but it will be a huge step forward.
I think it is exciting to see all of the creativity coming about. Not every idea will work of course but this one is already in use and has its place in the overall solutions.
Oil revenues well spent!
They know they have to somehow create a big tourism industry. Because in 50-80 years
there will be no oil for them, lol what will they sell? sand?
Yes indeed, Qatar and UAE are leading the green wave right now
The irony here is that if Western Nations had done this 20 years ago Abu Dhabi wouldn't have the money to do stuff like this.
Total Recall anyone?
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0H5k--n7sFI
Aww, I was about to say that.
You beat me to it!!
Oh did you think of mentioning Total Recall all on your own? Well done! - By pure coincidence, then author of the article thought the same.
NB: "Baby, you make me wish I had 3 hands" - best line in the movie (that's been proven by...erm...science)
Perhaps the Robert Picardo reference was too subtle ... ?
Get your ass to Mars!
"I'm a transport enabler, not a taxi driver..."
Yay, someone with money thought of this idea too.
Well this needs to come to LA and fast!
I am ALL about this. I even dig them being underground. Lets get rid of streets in cities. We don't need cars eating up real estate, and hitting pedestrians. Imagine a city full of wide walkways and grass between buildings. If you need to run, you can.
Totally Recalling some flashbacks!!
PRT is a joke and doesn't work. It's a trojan horse for the anti-transit crowd. http://tinyurl.com/3uc4zm
Didn't see Total Recall :/
But it does remind me of the taxies in Dreamfall.
So much for the show Cash Cab
Awesome!!!
Meh. Should stop all the fake taxis and rape cases you hear about in Boston...
(They should seriously fix the damn T)
How about the transportation in *Rainbows End* by Vernor Vinge?