Has Google peaked?

[Venti Quattro]

An Apple Car would be an even more terrible idea, as it will drive through rivers and bridges.

[ElNono]

An Apple Car would be an even more terrible idea, as it will drive through rivers and bridges.

But you can get them in Citrus or Aquamarine!

[leemajors]

Good post. Although I disagree about the public adoption of the Google car. I think it wouldn't be a very difficult decision for a consumer to make if it drops their car insurance by 80%. Not to mention if early reports are to be believed, these cars could virtually eliminate gridlock through a much more advanced communication system between cars. No more gridlock, and suddenly there are billions of gallons of fuel being saved each year, dropping the price of oil. And regardless of what you say about handling road conditions, 250k miles without a single accident is pretty amazing, especially considering that they're mostly prototypes that still have kinks to work out. I think a machine could EASILY handle a car much more competently than a person in the face of adverse conditions. Think of the ability for the computer to be linked to the traction control system and to know exactly how hard to steer the car to avoid an accident or maintain control in the event of a serious road hazard. Not to mention they could include infrared technology to give the sensors more range than the human eye can see.

I think there's a natural tendency humans have to underestimate how quickly technology has the potential and power to change things. It's hard to "imagine" the Google car becoming a reality. But the tech is there and it's developing rapidly. The requirement that a lot of things would have to happen before the Google Car would really take off does not make it impossible or even improbable, it just means there is a process that needs to occur. And it wouldn't take getting EVERY car manufacturer on board -- it would just take ONE that jumped on to see if consumer demand would make it a must have feature. As soon as that happens, everyone would be buying the Google navigation system.

Just saw this, too bad every car company will probably do the same and there will be fragmentation issues - a universal standard would be great:

http://www.theverge.com/2013/3/22/41...driving-safety

[Cane]

Good post. Although I disagree about the public adoption of the Google car. I think it wouldn't be a very difficult decision for a consumer to make if it drops their car insurance by 80%. Not to mention if early reports are to be believed, these cars could virtually eliminate gridlock through a much more advanced communication system between cars. No more gridlock, and suddenly there are billions of gallons of fuel being saved each year, dropping the price of oil. And regardless of what you say about handling road conditions, 250k miles without a single accident is pretty amazing, especially considering that they're mostly prototypes that still have kinks to work out. I think a machine could EASILY handle a car much more competently than a person in the face of adverse conditions. Think of the ability for the computer to be linked to the traction control system and to know exactly how hard to steer the car to avoid an accident or maintain control in the event of a serious road hazard. Not to mention they could include infrared technology to give the sensors more range than the human eye can see.

I think there's a natural tendency humans have to underestimate how quickly technology has the potential and power to change things. It's hard to "imagine" the Google car becoming a reality. But the tech is there and it's developing rapidly. The requirement that a lot of things would have to happen before the Google Car would really take off does not make it impossible or even improbable, it just means there is a process that needs to occur. And it wouldn't take getting EVERY car manufacturer on board -- it would just take ONE that jumped on to see if consumer demand would make it a must have feature. As soon as that happens, everyone would be buying the Google navigation system.

Wow if Google Car can drop insurance rates like that, and kill gridlock, then it would be incredible. I know there are also cars on the roads with laser/GPS guided cruise control but that's much more primitive than Google's stuff. However I just don't see how it will be affordable enough unless the government throws in incentives like for hybrids in addition to insurance savings.

As a cynic I just see a lot of problems for Google Car and it sounds like it could be a huge flop in the making. They have to fight against the autopilot Big Brother stigma, and also against big politicians/insurance/car companies with agendas of their own, plus a big price tag, and there will be millions lost in inevitable lawsuits and recalls.

Or maybe it'll bring the USA back to the forefront in automotive technology and usher in a much safer, Googly-eyed world which would be awesome especially with all the damn drunks and idiots on the road (I'm one of the latter)

The Google Car would also be another nail in the coffin for my beloved yet outdated manual transmissions....RIP stickshifts

[TDMVPDPOY]

google fibre is that still on trial only on certain suburbs,

dont think they are doing a major rollout

[lefty]

google fibre is that still on trial only on certain suburbs,

dont think they are doing a major rollout

Shiiiiit

Did you enable auto-correct by accident ?

[leemajors]

Shiiiiit

Did you enable auto-correct by accident ?

Nah it woulda corrected don't

[monosylab1k]

Peaked? Peaked, Dee? Let me tell you something. Google hasn't even begun to peak. And when they do peak, you'll know. Because they're gonna peak so hard that everybody in Philadelphia is gonna feel it.

[bluebellmaniac]

As soon as one "bug" kills some people, that will be the end of that.

Planes crash and yet we still use them. Driverless cars will be a matter of acceptance. The track record is great on those cars so far. There will be accidents, but when compared with a comparable amount of miles driven by humans, it will be a huge improvement. Additionally, imagine this: people are out partying, having a blast. In today's world, they end up getting in a car and driving home drunk. In the world of self driving cars, you can "call" your car to pick you up. You tell it where to meet you, or it can find you. You get in and relax, it'll get you home in one piece. Also, it could drop you off where you need to go without having to circle aimlessly looking for a parking spot. It can drop you off, go home, then pick you up when you need it. A pretty sweet future if you ask me.

The other part will be politics. MS will try to legislate it out of use, until they have a competing product ready that is. So there will be bumps...

[Drachen]

Combine this with electric cars and they could drop you off, go to a charging station, top up, then come back and pick you up later.

[koriwhat]

my new car has a nifty mirror that eliminates bright lights behind me... actually, i love my new car!