Meeting Minutes
Torch Club of the Fox Valley
09 February 2017
Atlas Coffee Mill & Café
Notes taken by: Jude Kuenn, secretary
Attendees: Karen Bachhuber, Jim Baumbach, David Debbink, Marcia Debbink, Mary Flanagan, Paul Freiberg, Jean Hedges, Walt Hedges, Jean Jepson, Barbara Kelly, Bill Kelly, Jude Kuenn, Cam Maurice, Mary Poulson, Richard Schoenbohm, Bob Swain, Helen Thiel, Peter Thiel, Scott Valitchka, Sofia Wilson
Guest: none
BUSINESS MEETING
Meeting called to order at 6:40pm.
- Guest Introductions: none.
- Meeting minutes’ update: from 1/12/17 minutes, Mary Poulson’s book title was Travels with Epicurus. Minutes were accepted, motioned, seconded and approved.
- Treasurer’s report: 2/01/17 balance is $2,659.63. The annual IATC chapter dues has been paid. Report was accepted, motioned, seconded and approved.
- Old Business:
A. Richard Schoenbohm will be unable to represent us at the National Convention in Kalamazoo, MI, June 15-18. - New Business:
A. The Nomination Committee Report (to be provided in the meeting minutes):
“The Nominating Committee of the Torch Club of the Fox Valley submits the following office nominees for 2017-2018 year, and to be voted at the March 7th 2017 business meeting. The nominees are: Paul Freiberg-President, Walt Hedges-Vice President, Barbara Kelly-Treasurer, and Sofia Wilson-Secretary. Nominations can also be made from the floor. The nominees named above need to appear on the agenda for the March 7th Torch meeting. The election of officers will be held at that meeting. The Nominating Committee consists of Peter Thiel, Chair, Walt Hedges and Jude Kuenn. Respectively submitted, Peter Thiel.” For those unable to attend the meeting, you may vote by proxy, emailing choices to Richard.
B. Condolences: are extended to Katie and Webb Shaw for the loss of their daughter, Erica.
C. Planning for IATC Convention: If registering for June convention in Kalamazoo before 3/13/17, fee is $360 each; final registration due by 5/15/17 at $375/person. Club reimbursement is now $300 if delegate attends on chapter’s behalf. Richard passed out convention details. Please let him know if you’ll represent us. - Announcements:
A. Webb applied for an editorial position on the Torch Magazine, and was accepted.
B. Mary Poulson – Noonhour Philosophers’ next meeting is 2/15/17, speaker is Scott Peeples, Executive Director, Fox Valley Warming Shelter: “Hope Dwells Within”. Mary brought the NHP schedule, which goes through 4/26/17.
C. Part of the Lion’s Club, Richard advised they serve lunch once a month at the Appleton Homeless Shelter. This is a hidden problem in our community.
D. Scott Valitchka – “Songs We Know: When Hits Become Art” with Christiaan Smith is a concert to benefit education programs at the Bergstrom-Mahler Museum of Glass. Evening is Saturday 3/04/17 from 7-8:15pm at Perry Hall on the UW-Fox Valley Campus. Tickets are $25 for museum members, $30 for non-members, available through the Museum.
E. Cam Maurice – Eviction is a timely book about poverty and homelessness in Milwaukee.
Business segment adjourned at 6:50pm for dinner.
David Debbink’s Talk: Who’s Driving the Bus?
Or, who/what is driving your car? Driverless cars have 20-25 ultrasonic sensors to alert vehicle to potential obstacles in its path. The laser sensor on roof top has a 360 degree view and is continuously scanning around the vehicle. Other technology used includes Lidar (light detection and ranging), radar (radar detection and ranging), a robust GPS system, and ~20 integrated cameras. Even with these advantages, there are numerous scenarios requiring driver intervention.
NHTSA (National Highway Traffic Safety Administration) autonomous driving tech levels:
0 – no technology, all standard stuff by 2011.
1 – most functions still controlled by driver. Adaptive cruise control and lane keeping technology can be used in limited circumstances.
2 – integration of level 1 function, allowing driver to disengage both hands off wheel and pedals.
3 – auto-pilot in limited situations; driver emergency intervention required. (Manufacturers plan to skip 3.)
4 – all driving sub-tasks automated in limited environments, i.e. dedicated highway lanes, parking ramps (allowing close quarter parking to double use of current ramp space).
5 – full automation, which meets / exceeds performance of human drivers, including extreme environments.
Advantages:
- reduced deaths: eliminating 90% of accidents
- decreased vehicle damage, impacting insurance companies with ~80% negative hit
- better mileage
- decrease in congestion in cities
- transportation for disabled, i.e. blind
- car sharing: fewer folks will own a vehicle, few vehicles needed
Where are we now? 0-2. There are currently 24 GPS satellites orbiting the earth, and another 24 co-owned. Driverless cars would need ~140 satellites to function optimally. Vehicles will face same challenges are human drivers in adverse weather. They will be unable to determine if obstacle is a pedestrian, another car, or a bridge pylon. The automated braking system could cause collision.
Targets for automation:
- individual transportation
- shared autos
- taxis
- shuttles and buses
- trucking and delivery industry
Impediments of automation:
- infrastructure, roads and markings
- fail-safe requirement – software reliability and functionality
- ethical / moral concerns
- liability – which is at fault in an accident – the car or manufacturer?
- hacking prevention
- privacy
- jobs lost
- sensory capability
- drunk driving will be out of fashion and cities will lose income
Driverless vehicles are an oversold and hyped idea. And it’s not happening soon. Plan 2045-2070 before cars will be fully automated. Today’s price tag for a Google Car is $1mm.
The future of automation:
- convoys of (driverless) trucks led by a car (with human driver)
- bus routes in the city or long distances (limited routes can be programmed)
- key GPS locators (sensors within 4cm)
- limited lane automation (a lane just for these vehicles)
- automated parking ramps
- drivers who want to drive will be barred from the road; driving will become a hobby or sport
The evening adjourned at 8:50pm.
With Atlas Coffee Mill & Café closed 3/09/17, our next meeting will be Tuesday 3/07/17.