Current Events > Tech reporter stranded after driving out of cellphone range in app-powered car

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https://www.cbc.ca/radio/asithappens/as-it-happens-wednesday-edition-1.5468449/tech-reporter-stranded -after-driving-out-of-cellphone-range-in-app-powered-smart-car-1.5468741

https://bit.ly/2T0mnqG

Kari Paul and her partner were planning on driving into the northern California wilderness for a Valentine's Day weekend getaway. But when they left the city behind, they left behind strong cellphone reception and ended up stranded on a remote highway.
The couple were driving in a smart car they rented through the car-sharing app, Gig Car. When the app lost a stable connection with the car, it eventually shut the vehicle down.

Paul happens to be a technology reporter and wrote about her ordeal. Gig Car has since refunded her trip and added a credit to her account.

In a statement, Gig Car's parent company, American Automobile Association, told As It Happens they "deeply apologize" for what happened, adding that it is "committed to improving our service and customer care, and will assess this situation for learnings."

The article contains an interview with the person, but it's too long to really copy and paste.

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I have never heard of that, but that sounds like a completely moronic service to offer anywhere without 100% coverage.

Even if you made a vehicle that doesn't allow human input, you should make it capable of working on its own, without connection.
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nemu posted...

I have never heard of that, but that sounds like a completely moronic service to offer anywhere without 100% coverage.

In fairness to GIG, on its website the company does explain that users can order an RFID card to use to lock or unlock the car in areas of poor cell service, although that isn't entirely compatible with the ability to "sign up instantly" and rent a car on the spot.

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Is that Tom Haverford?
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