True automated transport.

[Patrick]

True automated transport is the key technology that will truly enable an alternate system to the current monetary system. The second key tech is true automated farming.

We are getting there with the Google self driving car and now this...

An anonymous reader tips a story about comments from Ford Motor Company showing how confident they are in the autonomous car technology currently in development. They say self-driving cars will be here within just five years, and that the tech to do so is available already. They also think these cars will dramatically affect the flow of traffic.

Ford makes this projection, based on simulator studies: If one in four cars has Traffic Jam Assist or similar self-driving technologies, travel times are reduced by 37.5% and delays are reduced by 20%. In other words, if the freeway part of your rush hour commute takes 60 minutes, it will drop to 38. That’s because adaptive cruise control (ACC) is better at pacing the car ahead without continual brake, speed-up, brake cycles. Here’s how it works: Stop-and-go ACC keeps pace with the car ahead, using a look-ahead radar and mirror-mounted camera. Lane keep assist keeps the car centered, also taking advantage of the camera in the mirror. Electric power steering is better for remote control than mechanical power steering; it can be guided by the Traffic Jam Assist black box. Sonar units — for blind spot detection and cross traffic alerts (cars crossing behind when backing) — monitor traffic to the side. Combine all those and you have a car that’s smart enough to guide itself during predictable, low-speed conditions.

Imagine how this will enable parallel societies to share resources no matter where each "parallel citizen" resides.

[AnthroHeart]

Sounds like an amazing concept. I'm all for technologies that can support an alternate to the monetary system. I'm tired of the debt.

[Patrick]

California to license self-driving cars

http://www.tgdaily.com/hardware-features...iving-cars

...Californian senators have passed a bill that looks set to make the state the second in the US to approve self-driving cars on its roads. The bill was passed unanimously by state senators, and now hits the desk of governor Jerry Brown, who's expected to sign it into law. It calls on the California Department of Motor Vehicles to start developing standards and licensing procedures for autonomous vehicles. 'This bill would require the department to adopt safety standards and performance requirements to ensure the safe operation and testing of 'autonomous vehicles', as defined, on the public roads in this state,' it reads...

[Goldenratio]

Automated transport wont really usher in an alternative to money. Automated farming on the otherhand would definitely be a step closer to that direction. Though ultimately, until the lions share of people understand that resources are finite, and that responsible use/stewardship is the only way, some matter of resource allocation will be out there.

Technologies that allow the democratization of manufacturing are also needed. But essentially as we go forward, the ability for a person to produce for himself more and more of what makes modern life modern will only empower us. Usher us back to a live and let live mentality amongst what were former enemies, a sense of camaraderie with ones neighbors, and with some time, some truly amazing cooperation.