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Traffic cones confused a Waymo self-driving car. Then things got worse.
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/05/17/tech/waymo-arizona-confused/index.html
18 May 2021

[Video on website]

"A confused Waymo self-driving car was captured on video as it became stranded on an Arizona road earlier this month while carrying a passenger and then unexpectedly driving away as a worker from the company's roadside assistance arrived to help.

But the Waymo vehicle soon became stuck farther down the road, which was lined with construction cones. The Waymo worker caught up to the vehicle, took over, and drove the paying passenger to his final destination. Waymo operates a limited ridehail service in Chandler, Arizona.

Autonomous vehicle experts who reviewed the video footage of the 41-minute trip posted on YouTube by the Waymo passenger say it shows a series of gaffes by the Waymo self-driving technology.

"The first one was understandable. The second was strange. The third one was jaw-dropping and the fourth one I threw up my hands," Noah Goodall, a University of Virginia scientist who researches vehicle communication and automation, told CNN Business.

First, the Waymo vehicle paused at a stop sign rather than turning onto a street lined with cones. Waymo told CNN Business that guidance provided from one of its employees to revise the car's trajectory was "improper," and declined to elaborate. Waymo has remote workers who can provide information and directions to the self-driving vehicles. They can not take manual control of the vehicles.

The car then completed the turn, but soon stopped in the road, blocking part of a lane of traffic. Construction sites are known to be a challenge for fully autonomous vehicles because they rely on detailed maps of their environment to navigate safely. When the car's environment changes, such as with traffic cones or lane closures, it can struggle to operate at its best.

Following a four-minute stop, it backed up slightly, further blocking a traffic lane. Human motorists had to cross a double yellow line to go around the Waymo vehicle. Some honked. A construction crew removed a cone in the Waymo vehicle's path, but the car remained stopped.

A few minutes later, the Waymo car pulled away, surprising a Waymo worker who was explaining to the van's passenger, Joel Johnson, through the car's audio system that roadside assistance was on its way. The worker encouraged Johnson to remain seated and keep his seat belt on.
"Are we moving?" the worker asked in a confused tone.

Further down the road, the Waymo van halted again, amid yet more cones. It was then that a Waymo roadside assistance vehicle arrived.

Johnson was told by the Waymo worker on the car's audio system that the human driver would take over.
"You better hurry up, it's going to escape," Johnson warned the Waymo worker. Then, as the human driver approached, the Waymo car drove away again, but only a short distance.
"I don't even know what's going on anymore," Johnson said in the video.

Johnson told CNN Business that he arrived about 20 minutes late at his destination following the mishaps, and received a Waymo refund.

"If you need to really be on time you don't generally take Waymo yet," Johnson told CNN Business in an interview.
Even so, Johnson, who said he's taken 146 trips in Waymo vehicles, said he doesn't think the public should be concerned with the safety of Waymo's self-driving cars, and he continues to ride in the vehicles.
"I've seen so much impressive technology," Johnson said of Waymo. "It seems disingenuous to write them off because of one incident."

Waymo said in a statement that the situation was "not ideal," and the self-driving car had received incorrect guidance, which made it challenging for the autonomous vehicle to resume its intended route.

Bryant Walker Smith, who studies autonomous vehicles at the University of South Carolina, said he was surprised a command was never issued to halt the Waymo vehicle in place, so roadside assistance could take over. "There wasn't great coordination among the in-vehicle system, this remote monitoring capacity of the operator on the line and the on-ground assistance," Smith said."
 
Hooked said:
Traffic cones confused a Waymo self-driving car. Then things got worse.
https://edition.cnn.com/2021/05/17/tech/waymo-arizona-confused/index.html
18 May 2021

[Video on website]

"A confused Waymo self-driving car was captured on video as it became stranded on an Arizona road earlier this month while carrying a passenger and then unexpectedly driving away as a worker from the company's roadside assistance arrived to help.

But the Waymo vehicle soon became stuck farther down the road, which was lined with construction cones. The Waymo worker caught up to the vehicle, took over, and drove the paying passenger to his final destination. Waymo operates a limited ridehail service in Chandler, Arizona.

Autonomous vehicle experts who reviewed the video footage of the 41-minute trip posted on YouTube by the Waymo passenger say it shows a series of gaffes by the Waymo self-driving technology.

"The first one was understandable. The second was strange. The third one was jaw-dropping and the fourth one I threw up my hands," Noah Goodall, a University of Virginia scientist who researches vehicle communication and automation, told CNN Business.

First, the Waymo vehicle paused at a stop sign rather than turning onto a street lined with cones. Waymo told CNN Business that guidance provided from one of its employees to revise the car's trajectory was "improper," and declined to elaborate. Waymo has remote workers who can provide information and directions to the self-driving vehicles. They can not take manual control of the vehicles.

The car then completed the turn, but soon stopped in the road, blocking part of a lane of traffic. Construction sites are known to be a challenge for fully autonomous vehicles because they rely on detailed maps of their environment to navigate safely. When the car's environment changes, such as with traffic cones or lane closures, it can struggle to operate at its best.

Following a four-minute stop, it backed up slightly, further blocking a traffic lane. Human motorists had to cross a double yellow line to go around the Waymo vehicle. Some honked. A construction crew removed a cone in the Waymo vehicle's path, but the car remained stopped.

A few minutes later, the Waymo car pulled away, surprising a Waymo worker who was explaining to the van's passenger, Joel Johnson, through the car's audio system that roadside assistance was on its way. The worker encouraged Johnson to remain seated and keep his seat belt on.
"Are we moving?" the worker asked in a confused tone.

Further down the road, the Waymo van halted again, amid yet more cones. It was then that a Waymo roadside assistance vehicle arrived.

Johnson was told by the Waymo worker on the car's audio system that the human driver would take over.
"You better hurry up, it's going to escape," Johnson warned the Waymo worker. Then, as the human driver approached, the Waymo car drove away again, but only a short distance.
"I don't even know what's going on anymore," Johnson said in the video.

Johnson told CNN Business that he arrived about 20 minutes late at his destination following the mishaps, and received a Waymo refund.

"If you need to really be on time you don't generally take Waymo yet," Johnson told CNN Business in an interview.
Even so, Johnson, who said he's taken 146 trips in Waymo vehicles, said he doesn't think the public should be concerned with the safety of Waymo's self-driving cars, and he continues to ride in the vehicles.
"I've seen so much impressive technology," Johnson said of Waymo. "It seems disingenuous to write them off because of one incident."

Waymo said in a statement that the situation was "not ideal," and the self-driving car had received incorrect guidance, which made it challenging for the autonomous vehicle to resume its intended route.

Bryant Walker Smith, who studies autonomous vehicles at the University of South Carolina, said he was surprised a command was never issued to halt the Waymo vehicle in place, so roadside assistance could take over. "There wasn't great coordination among the in-vehicle system, this remote monitoring capacity of the operator on the line and the on-ground assistance," Smith said."
Click to expand...

I would pay to see one in Joburg CBD
jhb_cbd.jpg :)
 
For runners AND WALKERS

Run for the Oceans to help reduce plastic at sea
https://www.capetownetc.com/cape-town/run-for-the-oceans-to-help-reduce-plastic-at-sea
19 May 2021


"...From May 28 – June 8 you can run, jog, walk, or wheelchair to help #endplasticwaste. For every kilometer you run and log in the Adidas Running app, Adidas and Parley will clean up the equivalent weight of 10 plastic bottles from beaches and islands. All running, virtual running, treadmill, trail running, plogging, walking, nordic walking, and wheelchair activities count toward completing this challenge. As always, activities tracked with partner apps and devices also count toward the challenge.

Use the hashtags #RunForTheOceans and #adidasParley during the challenge to show your support for the fight against plastic waste..."

@Rob Fisher
 
Self defence will not be a valid reason to own a gun in SA under a newly-revived draft law
https://www.businessinsider.co.za/s...africa-under-revived-draft-legislation-2021-5
22 May 2021

  • South Africans will not be able to apply for a gun licence on the basis that they need a firearm for self-defence, under a legislative proposal formally revived on Friday.
  • The Civilian Secretariat for Police Service on Friday opened public comment on a 2021 version of the long-dormant draft Firearms Control Amendment Bill.
  • The secretariat says the planned legislation will demand a valid reason when applying for a firearm licence – and self defence doesn't count.
  • Gun owners, and prospective gun owners, have 44 days left to comment on the proposal.
The Civilian Secretariat for Police Service (CSP) on Friday published a call for public comment on a 2021 draft of the Firearms Control Amendment Bill in the Government Gazette. Despite a promise in that notice, it did not publish the actual contents of the draft law on its badly outdated website – but revealed in a summary that it contains an effort to restrict gun ownership that is likely to be controversial.

It then provides "that no firearm licenses may be issued for self-defence purposes"...

If the law passes, there would be new limits on the amount of ammunition gun owners may hold, and on how many firearms hunters and sport shooters may possess.

The law would also provide for firearms to be seized from anyone charged with domestic violence or harassment, under a system in which their licences are suspended.

Public comments on the draft are due within 44 days, as of Saturday."
 
What you need to own a gun in South Africa
The controversial Firearms Amendment Bill of 2021 has proposed that the self-defence justification be removed from the Act, and that stricter requirements be imposed on hunters for proving that they are engaged in the hobby.

Government has said the changes were aimed at assisting in reducing the number of firearms in private hands and consequently reducing incidents of violent crimes.

The Gun Owners of South Africa has labelled the move as “the peak of idiocy”, arguing that the right to defend your life was an implicit part of the right to life.

For the time being, however, self-defence remains a lawful reason to own a firearm in South Africa.
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/security/398895-what-you-need-to-own-a-gun-in-south-africa.html
 
Nothing new ...

South Africans should brace themselves for more load-shedding as Eskom’s ailing infrastructure remains vulnerable to breakdowns.

Eskom CEO André de Ruyter told Parliament their aging power plants, many which are more than 40 years old, are prone to problems.

The power utility is currently busy with a second phase of maintenance of these ailing generation plants, which will continue through the winter months.
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/energy/398983-dark-days-and-blackouts-ahead-for-south-africa.html
 
Woolworths’ new liquor store that comes with a sommelier
https://www.food24.com/woolworths-launches-liquor-store
26 May 2021

"This week, Woolworths launches a new brick-and-mortar store format selling wine and liquor exclusively – a format that other SA retailers like Shoprite Checkers and Spar have been operating for some time. WCellar (also the name of Woolworths’ online wine club) will open its doors on 27 May in Gauteng next to the Woolworths Food Market in Nicolway Shopping Centre..."
 
Goodbye Musica
Staff Writer27 May 2021


“We have officially closed all our stores”. This was the message which greeted people who visited Musica’s social media channels on Wednesday 26 May 2021.

Musica was one of South Africa’s best-known entertainment retail chains with a wide range of music, movies, games, and entertainment equipment.

Started as a music store many decades ago, it became the country’s leading music retail brand.
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/business/399071-goodbye-musica.html?utm_source=newsletter
 
Petrol prices in South Africa expected to drop
The energy department will announce official changes some time before they come into effect on Wednesday, 2 June 2021.

This is how the changes could be reflected at the pumps:

Fuel (Inland) May official June expected
95 Petrol R17.23- R17.12
93 Petrol R17.01- R16.50
0.05% Diesel (wholesale) R14.46- R14.68
0.005% Diesel (wholesale) R14.50- R14.72
Illuminating Paraffin R8.57- R8.78
https://businesstech.co.za/news/ene...cted-to-drop-next-week/?utm_source=newsletter
 
Last edited:
ARYANTO said:
President Cyril Ramaphosa will address the nation on the growing number of Covid-19 cases in the country and the measures that government will put in place to curb the spread, says acting minister in the presidency Khumbudzo Ntshavheni.

https://businesstech.co.za/news/gov...-new-lockdown-measures/?utm_source=newsletter
MMMMmm... maybe time to visit Tops ?
Click to expand...

He's too busy with the French president at the moment.

This sounds like my mother when I was a little snotnose..

"Wag net tot die kuiergaste ry, dan praat ons so bietjie". Never ended well.
 
In the news this morning ...Level 2 lockdown rules coming

South Africa is set to return to lockdown level 2 with tougher restrictions on mass gatherings and stricter enforcement of mask wearing in public and social distancing.

The City Press reported that the limit on indoor gatherings will be reduced from 250 to 100 people while outdoor gatherings will remain at 500.

There are also plans to extend the curfew from the current 00:00 to 04:00 to 22:00 to 06:00, but business and labour will first be asked for input before these times are finalised.

Good news for the alcohol industry is that an outright ban on the sale of liquor is unlikely.
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/trending/399403-harsher-level-2-lockdown-rules-coming.html
 
South African Health Minister Zweli Mkhize, once considered a possible successor to President Cyril Ramaphosa, is facing pressure to stand down after being linked to a tendering scandal.

The Daily Maverick reported this month that the health department awarded a 150 million-rand ($10.9 million) contract to Digital Vibes, a company controlled by two of Mkhize’s former aides, to help communicate the government’s pandemic response.

The money was largely wasted and proper procurement processes weren’t followed, the Cape Town-based news website said.
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/government/399417-mkhize-under-pressure-to-step-down.html
 
E-tolls to be scrapped – MEC


Jacob Mamabolo, MEC for Gauteng Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure, said a decision has been taken to scrap the Gauteng e-toll system.

“We are already in the post e-toll period. An announcement is imminent,”

“We are looking to a completely new e-toll dispensation – we are just waiting for that to be formalised.”

“Where we are, there is no turning back on e-tolls. E-tolls are a thing of the past.”

Mamabolo told Grootes e-tolls have been scrapped as the people of Gauteng should not be burdened with paying for national roads.
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/government/399099-e-tolls-to-be-scrapped-mec.html
 
ARYANTO said:
E-tolls to be scrapped – MEC


Jacob Mamabolo, MEC for Gauteng Public Transport and Roads Infrastructure, said a decision has been taken to scrap the Gauteng e-toll system.

“We are already in the post e-toll period. An announcement is imminent,”

“We are looking to a completely new e-toll dispensation – we are just waiting for that to be formalised.”

“Where we are, there is no turning back on e-tolls. E-tolls are a thing of the past.”

Mamabolo told Grootes e-tolls have been scrapped as the people of Gauteng should not be burdened with paying for national roads.
https://mybroadband.co.za/news/government/399099-e-tolls-to-be-scrapped-mec.html
Click to expand...

My non-payment paid off.....hahahaha morons!
 
Vodacom is now selling a R1,549 Nokia with an emergency button to keep calling for help
https://www.businessinsider.co.za/c...the-nokia-2720-for-special-needs-users-2021-5
28 May 2021

  • Vodacom on Friday announced it will be selling the Nokia 2720 at a cash price of R1,549, and offering it on contracts too.
  • That is for a flip-phone handset which, though low-end, comes with 4G, and at least theoretical use of services such as WhatsApp.
  • More importantly, the phone has a dedicated emergency button, and other accessibility features for the elderly, people with disabilities, and others with special speeds.
  • And, like a good feature phone, the battery can last up to a month.
It will be offering the Nokia 2720 for outright sale at R1,549, Vodacom announced on Friday, and offering it on postpaid contracts too, under the banner of its Specific Needs unit.

The 2720 is a classic flip-phone design which falls into the feature-phone category: not a smartphone, but with a full set of apps most smartphone users consider indispensable, including the likes of WhatsApp and Google Maps, and the ability to use a 4G data connection.

Without a touch screen, such apps are between hard and impossible to use with the classic 11-button layout, known as a T9 keyboard, reviewers say, but at least you can record a WhatsApp voice note.

ut the important elements are those designed specifically for the elderly, people with disabilities, and others who may find mainstream phones inaccessible.

The 2720 comes with a dedicated emergency button that will send an SMS with location information to five pre-loaded contacts, Vodacom says. Nokia also stresses that the "in case of emergency" information loaded in the phone can be of great help to first-responders in an emergency.

With emergency contacts loaded, a three-second push to an SOS button will initiate a call to the first person on the list, then move on to the next if the call is not answered within 25 seconds. The phone will keep dialling those five contacts ten times, and switch to speaker mode when a call is answered.

In less dire circumstances, the phone should make communication easier for those with limited mobility in their fingers. Calls can be made using the big buttons, and ended by closing the phone. The Google Assistant can be used for voice-to-speech typing, and the phone is officially rated for 28 days of standby battery life.

The price comes with drawbacks, though. There is no selfie camera for video chats, and the quality of both the main camera and screen will seem prehistoric to anyone who has dealt with a modern mid-range or better smartphone.

 
Samsung will now fetch your smartphone for repairs and drop it back off – for R330
https://www.businessinsider.co.za/samsung-door-to-door-repair-service-in-south-africa-2021-6
2 June 2021

  • Samsung's door-to-door repair service launched in South Africa on Tuesday.
  • The service arranges for Samsung devices to be picked up from a customer's home or place of work and delivered once repaired.
  • It's only offered to customers within a 40km radius of select authorised service centres in Johannesburg, Tshwane, Durban, and Cape Town.
  • The service costs R330 and penalties fees will be added to those who keep Samsung courier agents waiting.
 
President Cyril Ramaphosa signed the Cybercrimes Act into law on Tuesday, introducing new laws that criminalise the sending of certain types of harmful messages on social media in South Africa.

Penalties for sending such messages include imprisonment for up to three years and/or a fine.

The Cybercrimes Act defines three types of harmful messages that have been criminalised in South Africa. They are messages which:

 
Five local authorities in England have banned pavement smoking outside pubs, restaurants and cafes, and others are looking to follow suit with ambitious plans, as part of a push to become smoke-free by 2030.

Smokers in Northumberland, Durham, North Tyneside, Newcastle and the City of Manchester will have to find alternative places to light up, as councils have banned smoking where restaurants and bars have been granted licences to put out tables on the pavement.

In Gateshead, although no high-level policies have been set in place, all restaurants and bars granted pavement licences must be smoke-free.
https://www.standard.co.uk/news/uk/smoking-ban-outdoors-pubs-cafes-restaurants-councils-b938574.html
 
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