According to Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt, fully automated cars no longer belong to the realm of science fiction but that of reality, with Google self-driving cars in the market in the space of years.
During his speech at the annual Allen & Co conference in Sun Valley, Idaho Eric Schmidt announced that Google automated cars should be ready in a few years: “The technology has to be right. The regulation has to be right. The partnerships have to be right.” He also added that Google had already been in contact with most car makers on the subject.
A self-driving car: a dream come true
Since 2010, Google has been working on its self-driving car concept. With or without a driver, the car would only require that the destination coordinates be entered on an on-board computer.[more…]
Google’s self-driving car is equipped with multiple radars, a camera and a rotating laser which scan the nearby surrounding environment in order to determine the trajectory and adapt its speed.
Google faces pressure to slow down rollout of driverless technology
In a recent report, Google is reportedly under pressue to slow down the rollout of their driverless car technology, expected in 2017
According to The Wall Street Journal, people close to Google have reported a debate within the company over whether the “Google Car” should be released with full capabilities or be introduced slowly and gradually.
One side of the debate opts for full release of the driverless car, whereas the other side think that “it will have to be introduced slowly and with minimal shock to consumers, policymakers, insurers and industry alike,” WSJ reports.
Google’s future driverless cars are expected to enter the market around 2017.
The report suggests that if the capabilities are limited upon release, the software within the cars could limit travel to max. speed 25 mph and enforce a foam front end to the vehicle to limit damage if a collision was to occur.
People arguing for full capabilities express that the new technology, “will provide important societal benefits such as reduced accidents, improved energy efficiency and productivity gains.”
Read more:
http://www.t3.com/news/google-face-pressure-to-slow-down-rollout-of-driverless-car-technology
http://www.thenewage.co.za/101647-9-53-Google_cars_on_the_market_in_years_Eric_Schmidt
