Aircraft have several systems for flight controls which are independent and compare the input/output parameters to ensure safety - not that it always works perfectly as glitches do occur.

How many comparators does the proposed vehicle system have to ensure the input/output are commensurate? Or could it be the "unnecessary feedback" mentioned is steering one way and going the other?

carver If a person cannot notice a light telling them that they have a tyre problem then they shouldn't be driving. The same people will probably keep driving with a reduced tyre pressure without noticing any difference in handling either.

"It doesn't matter where the technology came from, if it has been widely and successfully used there is little to fear from its adaptation to a different purpose."

That's as maybe. I can remember when coil ignition started replacing the magneto on motor bikes, which was not that long ago, just back in the 60s. I seem to remember that the BSA C15 was one of the first, but it was only a 250 so didn't really count as a bike (no restrictions on capacity for learners in those days!).

I swore that I would not be interested until they started using it for racing.

I bought my first coil ignition bike in 1984!

It'll be the same with drive by wire!

This is personnel view, Being 76 I was brought up with spanner and screwdrivers Best Suit a Boiler Suit. It makes me nerves thinking about the above, but we cannot stop progress not in this world that we live in. So I have nothing to worry about, but people are going to get change, otherwise we would would all be still walking where ever we wanted to go and it's a long way to Wales from middle of the country near Sheffield to walk for me summer holiday's

We already have systems available on some current cars that enable them to perform parallel parking so drive by wire has got to be the next logical step. It will probably be O.K. when all vehicles are so equipped but I would be dubious about being driven by one while there are still idiots about who drive while phoning, texting, and drinking coffee etc. That is without the boy racers who think nothing about changing lanes without indication or regard for others.