The future of motoring: it's automated - What do you think?

Most whatcar.com readers would prefer to keep complete control of their car. In our online poll, 61% said they would never want their car to drive itself.

Just 17% said they would relinquish control on any road, but 22% would be happy to put their feet up on the motorway.

Here's what you said...
'I don't trust electronics - engine management systems play up, as do anti-lock brakes and the bit that decides temperature in climate control - so what happens when the car has taken over from the driver and the computer that controls it blows a fuse?'
Paul Hill

'I would love my car to drive itself. Not only is it a great safety feature, it would relieve you from tedious journeys to and from work. You could catch up on some sleep, and arrive refreshed and ready for the day. Then, on the way home, you could switch to manual drive and have a blast on a country road.'
David Bergman

Manufacturers think motorists will learn to accept more driverless and assistance technology, especially on motorways where the driving is dull and tedious.

Shinohara says: 'For long-range transport it only needs efficiency or speed - it's not about the pleasure of the individual. If it has some rationale, people will support it.'

Müller-Beßler agrees that it depends on the type of driving: 'If driving a car means fun, motorists will do it on their own. If they have to prepare things on a trip, or the traffic is annoying, they are happy if someone else is driving the vehicle.

'In the end it is a function of the driving situation, the individual and the type of vehicle.'

In other words, many people would love being in charge of a Porsche down an empty country lane, but would be happier to give up control on the traffic-clogged M25.

Honda's Brachmann says it will also take time to convince motorists of new things in much the same way that someone familiar with Nokia mobile phones won't immediately like Sony Ericsson devices: 'I do believe that over time assistance systems need to be experienced more and more by today's motorists.'