Video: Google Testing Robotic Cars That Drive Themselves

A glorious new future is being created by Google in California, where the company has been test-driving automated cars "that can drive themselves" on the expressways and streets—even the famously twisty Lombard Street in San Francisco. During these test runs, there is always a human behind the wheel in the unlikely event that something goes wrong with the artificial intelligence software, but that would never happen, right? The Times reports that engineers envision a day "the technology could double the capacity of roads by allowing cars to drive more safely while closer together. Because the robot cars would eventually be less likely to crash, they could be built lighter, reducing fuel consumption." And maybe one day they'll power themselves using humans' BTU heat and bio-electricity, thus ending our dependence on fossil fuels! Video:

According to Google, there's only been one accident, and it was a stupid human's fault. (A Google car was rear-ended at a stop light.) But the Times wonders: "In the event of an accident, who would be liable — the person behind the wheel or the maker of the software?" Obviously the software itself can't be held accountable... at least not until it becomes self-aware.

Contact the author of this article or email tips@gothamist.com with further questions, comments or tips.

By John Del Signore in News on October 11, 2010 10:40 AM

Comments [rss]

tept

they have something like this out already. it's called trains. when will america stop using cars as such an end all be all?

John L

This is fantastic!

Google is really a great American company because instead of just stashing all their profits away in their bank accounts they actually try to innovate and move us forward. I wish more companies were like Google. The only thing that can save America now is technology and to be a leader we must invest in innovation. Thankfully Google is doing that, I'd hate to see some foreign company doing it.

IvoryJive

Would love to see this thing try to inch through a crosswalk full of jaywalkers in midtown, or squeeze through double-parked delivery trucks in Chinatown. Maybe at best it could get you to the city limits

rammyh

Finally and YAY! Can you imagine how cool this would be for us car-owning folk who also like to drink?

I can get blitzed wherever and basically just nap in my car while it drives me home - or it drives me through a White Castle drive-thru so I can order a crapload of burgers at 3am. This is the best invention ever.

BTW - The Taxi and Livery Car people are going to shit themselves if this goes to market.

Rocknrope

Can I get hit by one of these so I can sue Google?

random transplant

Less than a year after Apple submits bicycle patents, Google invests serious cash into cars.

Do you think we can get them to talk some sense into Chris Christie?

Spirit of 76

"According to Google, there's only been one accident, and it was a stupid human's fault."

Yeah, yeah, blame it on a human. Hey, buddy, where'd you learn how to program? Tijuana?

Considering how many bad directions GPS units give, I don't think I want autonomous cars on the road anytime soon.

jaycjay

That one accident was when one of the cars was rear-ended by another (human-operated) car while stopped at a red light.

So yes, it was a human's fault.