OK, then. Was the system you were hinting at communal Vespas?
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LA TIMES: Walt Disney World plans to deploy driverless shuttles
- Thread starter kpilcher
- Start date
OK, then. Was the system you were hinting at communal Vespas?
danlb_2000
Premium Member
I am sure they will be programmed to dispense outrageous rumors and will do it more efficiently then a human driver.
Disney still seems to have a hard time keeping their own website fully operational on a daily basis, but we should trust that they will have no issues with driver-less shuttles being programmed to roam around the property?
ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
Once again shows Disney will do anything to reduce labor cost.
Not realizing a friendly bus driver is an ambassador for Disney
Not realizing a friendly bus driver is an ambassador for Disney
I don't think they make a move without trying to find a way to diminish CM numbers.
Disney needs more workers not less. The problem is there are not enough people on the Orlando area to fill all the jobs at WDW and Universal. That is why Universal is testing robot room service and Disney is going to test Driverless cars. Both Companies are going to grow substantially over the next decade are need to find ways to provide more services to consumers with the same number of employees.
It kinda looks like the industry is trying to create some buzz around autonomous shuttles. I've seen a few articles on their use as public transport, most recently at CNET https://www.cnet.com/roadshow/news/self-driving-cars-automated-public-transport-bus/
flyerjab
Well-Known Member
What is interesting to me is how the public in general (not just people on this site) reacts to this idea. Yes, there will still most likely be accidents as nothing is perfect and there will still be a mix of drivers and driverless vehicles whenever this concept does start to get off of the ground. What if this starts in high urban areas and there is no increase in the number of accidents or the number of accidents drops? Wouldn't that be considered a success of some sort? I still say that a large part of this will depend upon the responsibility of the people behind the wheels of their own cars. This could work really well but it won't stop the people that are still driving distracted.
The other interesting part of this is that it reminds me completely of something that Walt would espouse. I would imagine how people would have gone crazy for this in the 80s when EPCOT first opened - "stay at the Contemporary and visit EPCOT by monorail or complimentary driverless vehicles". This would have been looked at as true futurism and people would have loved it. But modern day cynicism is a fickle thing.
Of course there is always the dependable poster or two that I know will link this back to job reduction and saving TWDC money. And while I am certain that there is some truth to that to a degree, who is to say that a reduction in this type of job wouldn't allow for increases in other types of jobs at WDW…like say maintenance or park operations? Things that we all say WDW needs more of.
Kamikaze
Well-Known Member
Because they only employ 70,000+ people at WDW. Largest single site employer in the US by a huge margin. Do they worry about labor costs? Sure. But they absolutely have to.
What do they do in monsoon rain, though? And what effect does nearby lightning have on their sensors?
Minthorne
Well-Known Member
Far more important - is there AC?
But for the AKL to AK journey it almost makes sense to have a dedicated road for these vehicles to take guests back and forth. almost.
What about internal at OKW, CSR, CBR or other larger resorts? How about a droid vehicle moving you around from the parked star cruiser hotel to the SW land? inside the hotel? There's a lot to imagine here.
danlb_2000
Premium Member
It makes sense since it's a lower resistance way of getting people used to the idea of automated vehicles.
Zac Skellington
Well-Known Member
It sounds like they then to pay more. I know I do.
Yes, they're big. But it means nothing if they actually need 75K workers to provide adequate service and are trying to get by with 70.
ford91exploder
Resident Curmudgeon
^^^^ THIS ^^^^
AshaNeOmah
Well-Known Member
I'd be willing to pay a resort fee in the far future if it included private, autonomous shuttles from my resort to the park, Uber style.
Welcome Foolish Mortals to the WDW Shuttle. I am your chauffeur, your ghostly driver into the boundless realms of the WDW resort. Kindly take your loved ones by the hand, please, and watch your step as you board. We do so hope you enjoy our "spirited" shuttle service.
Our journey will materialize only if you remain quietly seated at all times. Next stop, Magic Kingdom.
Our journey will materialize only if you remain quietly seated at all times. Next stop, Magic Kingdom.
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Kamikaze
Well-Known Member
Its actually more like 73k right now. Part of the problem isn't Disney - its the pool of prospective employees.
TiggerDad
Well-Known Member
The technology for autonomous vehicles is advancing faster than most people realize. Higher end passenger cars already have many seni-autonomous features but the bigger advances will come first in the commercial sector because of the economics of investment returns, the shortage of commercial drivers, and yes the liability issues. We will soon reach the point where computers are safer drivers than humans.