Hollywood has been a great inspiration in our desire for the autonomous car. A car that will save us time, increase our quality of life and improve safety. In the real world, there has been a lot of research in this area with various manufacturers and institutions having a go at it. I’m actually a little surprised that with all the money we pour into the automotive industry and with all the smarts we’ve got, we don’t have cars that can do this yet.

Now the driverless car may be a step closer to reality with a European initiative called SARTRE (SAfe Road TRains for the Environment). Whilst I’m not sure if its Marxist namesake would have approved, SARTRE’s aim is to develop strategies and technologies to allow vehicle platoons to operate on normal public highways with significant environmental, safety and comfort benefits… cars that drive themselves.

Now, before you get excited, the basic concept isn’t for the car to do all of the driving. Instead, the idea is that you’d get yourself onto the highway, merge into a platoon (think convoy) and let the car take over and eat a bowl of weetbix. According to the researchers, using a combination of inter-vehicle comms, sensors and other wizardry beyond my comprehension, SARTRE should lower travel times, increase the driver’s free time and, most importantly, reduce CO2 emissions by up to 20% and reduce accidents.

SARTRE has just completed its first major test with flying (albeit slow-flying) colours. Check the video to see it in action:



Of course, this all seems rather pedestrian and boring compared to the Hollywood-inspired driverless car. I want an awesome car that either allows me to not have to think about driving (even though I actually enjoy driving), that takes me where I want to go on command in complete comfort and security… and if it can’t do that then I want it to have personality! Here are my top five Hollywood autonomous cars (OK, I could only think of five):


1. KITT from Knight Rider
If you were like me, then you were mad-keen on Knight Rider. As far as I was concerned, KITT was THE BEST CAR IN THE WORLD! Of course, you only realise how shit-house it really was when re-watching it as an adult. It hurts my eyes to watch this, yet my inner-6 year old can’t get enough.


2. Audi RSQ from I Robot (sorry about poor quality)
I’m not a fan of Will Smith movies… yet I am (figure that out for me)? I Robot was OK, but I keep getting it confused with A.I. Artificial Intelligence, with that kid from Sixth Sense. Anyway, I enjoyed this scene where “the system” tries to take out Will Smith and make it look like a regular car accident... I enjoyed until the end part where the car spins—that’s so unrealistic!


3. Demolition Man
If I’m not a fan of Will Smith movies, then I really hate Wesley Snipes movies. If I had to choose one however, it would be Demolition Man (what, you’ve never seen it)? I can’t remember the full story, but Sly Stallone (a cop) and Wesley Snipes (a criminal) find themselves in the future in a very different world. Queue lots of product placement and the lame “future” design of the 90’s and you have Demolition Man. Never recommend this movie to people you don’t know well… first impressions and all. Here’s a driverless police car and a future hair style!


4. Minority Report
Ugh, why do all these driverless car movies star actors I dislike? Tom Cruise takes the cake. With the exception of Top Gun, Legend and Days of Thunder (and then only because of its insight into NASCAR), Minority Report is his best movie ever (OK, it seems I like a few of this movies). The movie features driverless cars that can seem to drive on vertical highways, i.e.: buildings.

 
5. Herbie Rides Again
I must admit, I never liked Herbie… but I’d never tell him that to his face. He’s such a sensitive little car, as this clip demonstrates. Stephanie Powers looks ravishing.

SARTRE has a long way to go before it’s going to grab me like these Hollywood cars do. Dear SARTRE scientists I hope you are reading because I want you to know what it is that I want out of an autonomous car driving experience. Please watch the following video and include it in your research (ignore the lack of seat belts)—thank you: