Using AI to create a 4x4 Route

[Liaank]

We recently asked Chat GPT to create a 12-day trip Richtersveld for us, just to see the result. I have never been to the richtersveld, so I cant say if the stopovers & distances are good / bad. What do you guys think of the what Chat GPT spat out?:

Here's a 12-day 4x4 camping itinerary for the Richtersveld, designed for self-sufficient campers who enjoy secluded sites and getting close to nature:


### Day 1: Arrival at Sendelingsdrift
- Arrive at Sendelingsdrift, the gateway to the Richtersveld.
- Set up camp at Sendelingsdrift Rest Camp.
- Rest and prepare for the journey ahead.


### Day 2: Sendelingsdrift to De Hoop
- Drive to De Hoop campsite along the Orange River.
- Enjoy the river views and take a swim.
- Set up camp and relax by the river.


### Day 3: De Hoop Exploration
- Spend the day exploring the De Hoop area.
- Go for hikes or birdwatching along the river.
- Return to the campsite for a quiet evening.


### Day 4: De Hoop to Richtersberg
- Drive to Richtersberg campsite, following the rugged 4x4 trails.
- Set up camp by the river.
- Spend the evening enjoying the serene environment.

### Day 5: Richtersberg to Kokerboomkloof
- Drive to Kokerboomkloof, known for its unique quiver tree forests.
- Set up camp among the quiver trees.
- Explore the area and enjoy the unique flora.


### Day 6: Kokerboomkloof Exploration
- Spend the day hiking and exploring the quiver tree forest.
- Enjoy the solitude and natural beauty of the area.
- Return to camp for a peaceful night.


### Day 7: Kokerboomkloof to Tatasberg
- Drive to Tatasberg campsite, known for its rocky outcrops and stunning views.
- Set up camp and take in the panoramic scenery.
- Explore the surrounding area.


### Day 8: Tatasberg Exploration
- Spend the day hiking and exploring the rocky terrain.
- Take photos and enjoy the dramatic landscapes.
- Return to camp for the evening.



### Day 9: Tatasberg to Gannakouriep
- Drive to Gannakouriep campsite, nestled in a remote valley.
- Set up camp and enjoy the solitude.
- Explore the area and enjoy the rugged terrain.


### Day 10: Gannakouriep Exploration
- Spend the day hiking and exploring the remote valley.
- Enjoy the peace and quiet of this secluded spot.
- Return to camp for a relaxing evening.


### Day 11: Gannakouriep to Hakkiesdoring
- Drive to Hakkiesdoring campsite, another secluded and rugged spot.
- Set up camp and explore the area.
- Enjoy the natural surroundings and the quiet.


### Day 12: Hakkiesdoring to Sendelingsdrift
- Drive back to Sendelingsdrift.
- Spend the night at the Sendelingsdrift Rest Camp.
- Reflect on your adventure and prepare for departure.

### Tips:
- Ensure your 4x4 vehicle is in good condition and equipped with all necessary recovery gear.
- Carry sufficient water, food, and fuel for the entire trip.
- Inform someone of your itinerary and expected return date.
- Respect the environment and leave no trace of your visit.


This itinerary offers a mix of rugged 4x4 driving, stunning scenery, and the solitude of nature, perfect for self-sufficient campers seeking a true wilderness experience.

[ViperR]

Finally a thread that has something to do with 4x4, overlading etc.
I like what you have done here. Unfortunately I can't comment on the distances but I'm looking forward reading the replies.

[Oom Walter]

Seems like a cool concept!
Only issue I see with it is that the free chatgpt isn't connected to any up-to-date, live maps. So it will be working off info from a few years ago. Damage to roads might not be indicated, but as a rough planner it's pretty cool!

[bloudraad]

What vehicle was Chat gpt given to drive and was it’s mother in law part of the trip?

Interesting scenario to pose the question to AI, but it can’t account for unforeseen events. Nor can it derive the real value of such a trip for a given person.

At best currently it would be a good a route planner, giving times to destinations and recommended stay overs, perhaps some avoidances too.

Perhaps it could collate & summarise most current situations from various sources to make what is relevant for a trip available on one page, without one having to scour through multiple websites and making telephone calls.

I’m sure it will find its way into travels and soon all the travelling YouTubers will have to contend with a drone with its own content Chanel.

[GroenHoender]

We recently asked Chat GPT to create a 12-day trip Richtersveld for us, just to see the result. I have never been to the richtersveld, so I cant say if the stopovers & distances are good / bad. What do you guys think of the what Chat GPT spat out?:

I am very curious on what/how exactly you asked the ChatGPT as its detailed answers are based on data it has access to, as well as how specific you phrased your question to it.

Each and every AI tool always varies, understandably, from each other depending on their data sources and question style.

For example, try it again with different rephrased questions and additional requirements (eg, xx km's or xx hours per day, any stop along the route for refreshments, alternate routes depending on traffic density, etc) and see how it goes.

Also, have you tried it with Google Gemini or Microsoft CoPilot?

https://gemini.google.com/
https://copilot.microsoft.com/

Interestingly Google Maps will also use AI soon in their map services but it is not clear when.
https://blog.google/products/maps/go...-local-guides/

[IcePick88]

AI tells me there are 2 R's in strawberry. I don't trust AI.

[GroenHoender]

For the fun of it, I asked Google Gemini and Microsoft CoPilot the same question, with various specific instructions, and both gave me diferent suggestions, based on their own resources (Gemini used Google Maps, CoPilot used SouthAfrica.Com, SA4x4.Co.Za and a few other sites as sources).

Below are their routes:

Gemini:
https://g.co/gemini/share/1950dcc63274

CoPilot won't give a Share link, so I screenshot various parts of its suggestions.

Quite interesting.
I like Gemini's option more because it overlaid it all on top of Google Maps itself which I could adjust/edit myself.

[Dirk]

I would have posted this without saying a word about ChatGPT...you poisoned the minds already.

[Dirk]

Finally a thread that has something to do with 4x4, overlading etc.
I like what you have done here. Unfortunately I can't comment on the distances but I'm looking forward reading the replies.

I could quote several thousand others but won't bother.

[bloudraad]

I would have posted this without saying a word about ChatGPT...you poisoned the minds already.

Very valid point Dirk. Excuse my knee jerk reaction to the mention of AI.

The OP has an itinerary which may very well be a good suggestion or starting point and I can’t comment, because its a trip I’ve never done myself.

I’m sure those in the know will get around to the thread soon and share or make suggestions based on their own experience. Who knows, perhaps they’ll even agree with the suggested AI route.

Will be interesting to hear where opinions may differ and why, possibly hi lighting shortcomings in the AI recommendations if indeed the case.

[Peter Connan]

A dash of my own brand of insanity:

There is no such thing as a perfectly-planned trip if not planned on the basis of extensive previous experience. Because each of us likes different things, because the weather is never quite the same and because route and campsite conditions change continuously. And a myriad of other factors.

But generating a perfectly adequate trip plan is relatively easy.

Just get in your car and go, and with a mindset of not sweating the little stuff, you will enjoy the trip.

[GroenHoender]

Very valid point Dirk. Excuse my knee jerk reaction to the mention of AI.

The OP has an itinerary which may very well be a good suggestion or starting point and I can’t comment, because its a trip I’ve never done myself.

I’m sure those in the know will get around to the thread soon and share or make suggestions based on their own experience. Who knows, perhaps they’ll even agree with the suggested AI route.

Will be interesting to hear where opinions may differ and why, possibly hi lighting shortcomings in the AI recommendations if indeed the case.

Both you and Dirk has valid points.
I could say the same thing: having never travelled to a specific destination, I cannot provide feedback on the route.

But I do remember one thing: in the past, when my family (on both sides), or friends and I, wanted to have a holiday at a remote place, we opened a well-worn SA RoadMap book (by country or province) and trace any potential routes by finger or by marker pen, litterally from page edge to page edge to the next page, marked by unique codes.

Then we discuss near every day/night all the different alternate routes, places to visit along the route, where to stay, what to take along, etc. In those days there was no sources, except for people with experience/knowledge, if we can find them.

Later on, one start using magazines like "Weg", or variants of it, to see imagery, detailed information, and then plan the route.

Again, later on, with the GPS becoming more and more available, we used GPS devices to plot routes with "sleep-over" points and so on.

And in today's age? With satelites, internet (socal media and forums) and AI, litterally everything is readily available at one's finger tips. It is inevitable. There is one thing this modern technology brings: safety and peace of mind. Something we didn't have with the older, traditional, pen and map method, or driving into the unknown.

All of these still envoke, and still should, the fun of finding/planning a route (irrespective of whatever method mentioned above), with unique sight seeing unknown places yet to be explored.

There is nothing wrong in using a tool. Use it or don't use it.

The real adventure starts when one starts driving on the road out there towards the destination...

[jab2]

A dash of my own brand of insanity:There is no such thing as a perfectly-planned trip if not planned on the basis of extensive previous experience. Because each of us likes different things, because the weather is never quite the same and because route and campsite conditions change continuously. And a myriad of other factors.But generating a perfectly adequate trip plan is relatively easy.Just get in your car and go, and with a mindset of not sweating the little stuff, you will enjoy the trip.

Case in point. Many years ago we went to visit Namaqualand to see the flowers. The evening we talked to people in the hotel bar who did the same route as us. We were impressed with the flowers, they not at all. Only difference we followed the route with the sun behind us as much as possible, they did it with the sun in their face. Small bit of knowledge that flowers turn to the sun made a huge difference in enjoyment of the trip.