[ExI] self driving cars again

[david]

On Sun, 12 Aug 2012 16:58:23 +0100
Charlie Stross <charlie.stross at gmail.com> wrote:

> 
> On 12 Aug 2012, at 16:49, david <deimtee at optusnet.com.au> wrote:
> > 
> > 
> > With a smart enough despatching system covering the area, you could
> > use a fleet of electric cars. You could even make cross country
> > trips, meeting and transferring to a new car each time the battery
> > gets low. They monitor their charge (as does the system), and if
> > there isn't enough left to make the trip, a charged car meets you
> > on the way. Lots of potential for a smart system.
> 
> Actually, if we're talking self-driving and electric, then for
> long-haul trips the best solution seems to me to be able to hire a
> self-driving electric car with a tow bar and trailer hitch ... and to
> rent a trailer with a bunch of extra batteries or a compact
> fuel-burning generator pack. Let the car software handle reversing
> and steering with a trailer (software to do that is a logical
> requirement for self-driving cargo trucks), and don't bother carrying
> with the parasitic weight of a hybrid power train unless you're
> actually going further than the built-in batteries will allow.
> 
> 
> -- Charlie
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I'm curious as to why that isn't currently done. A "standard" electric
car with one to two hundred km range for the daily commute, add a
trailer with a generator in it for the long hauls. A 10Kw generator
would really extend your range. At 20Kw range would probably only be
limited by re-fueling.
It would be great for camping too. Plenty of space in the trailer, and
you can use the generator at the campsite.

-David.