[ExI] jeff's ride

[spike at rainier66.com]

From: John Clark <johnkclark at gmail.com> 
Sent: Wednesday, 8 July, 2026 3:50 AM
To: ExI chat list <extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org>
Cc: spike at rainier66.com
Subject: Re: [ExI] jeff's ride

 

 

 

On Tue, Jul 7, 2026 at 12:20 PM spike jones via extropy-chat <extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org <mailto:extropy-chat at lists.extropy.org> > wrote:

 

> There are plenty of robotaxis being tested, but this one in Foster City caught my attention because it is symmetrical front and back. I found out the company is Zoox.  Jeff Bezos owns them now. 

 

>…From the picture I can't help but wonder how safe they would be. They look pretty flimsy, what happens to the passengers if they get into a collision?

 

Well ja, there is that.  But think of the safety advantage if one is driving along and sees a tsunami coming:  

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=coPW6unxeY8

 

Instead of a proper three point turn, the frontnorf car just stops and backs away at full speed like Tow Mater when the harvester was after him:  

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=11paJafABJg

 

>…To my surprise I just discovered that they do have airbags, they inflate from the roof, so maybe they're OK… John K Clark

 

 

Airbags, sure.  I bought a car which has eight of them.  If I get into even a minor collision, I have horrifying visions of all eight of them popping out.  The cost of reloading eight airbags is so great, it would be cheaper to just melt down the car and get a new one.  But I like the car.  So I drive it carefully, in order to reduce the risk of popping those eight airbags.  Then of course, the turbochargers are a total waste: I am afraid to use them.

 

On the other hand, the Zoox riders have no control over the vehicle, so the risk of popping the airbags would not compel them to drive more carefully, which obviates their value as a safety mechanism.

 

spike

 

 

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