"Well here it is, the moment the sheep have been waiting for: Google just announced the prototype of the first wholly Google-spec autonomous car. It has no steering wheel or pedals, instead packing GPS navigation and a stop-go button as its only means of control. "
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqSDWoAhvLU&feature=player_embedded
this is a slippery slope
I trust that thing more than I do 90% of the general driving population.
Interesting how the car is about as bland as can be (although I detect a hint of some VW bus in the shape) yet the wheels are super fancy.
sigh It's because this car was designed by kids, and the kids these days think slapping a set of "rims" on their car = "hot rod". Ugh.
I saw that story... Kind of interesting.
It probably is the future... 
The target group is people who probably shouldn't be driving anyway. There may be an upside after all.
Wait, there is! Putting them in a vehicle with an exposed, unprotected roll cage ensures massive head trauma with the inevitable fail. Culling the oldsters and preventing (certain) youngsters from procreating has to be a good thing. Right?
Thanks, Google!
it has a "meh" face... it's not even happy
oldsaw wrote: The target group is people who probably shouldn't be driving anyway. There may be an upside after all.
The question is, how does an autonomous vehicle deal with other human based drivers? It's one thing to be able to drive down an empty road, or with other autonomous vehicles. Its another thing to get cut off by some idiot at 90mph who then slams on the brakes.
worst part is.. people are going to drive like idiots around these things just to see how they react
The poor police and governments they collect taxes for... what will they do for revenue when the cars don't do anything wrong?
Who will all the traffic lawyers blame for accidents? All those poor, poor Ambulance chaser/DUI attorneys having to do handies for cash just makes me sad 
Also...
Jalopnik: "No steering wheel but can you order it with a manual transmission?"
Giant Purple Snorklewacker wrote: The poor police and governments they collect taxes for... what will they do for revenue when the cars don't do anything wrong? Who will all the traffic lawyers blame for accidents? All those poor, poor Ambulance chaser/DUI attorneys having to do handies for cash just makes me sad
not as sad as my wallet, AM I RIGHT??!
It looks like a scared Koala.
failboat wrote: this is a slippery slope
Not like driving a regular car is exactly an aerobic activity.
mad_machine wrote: worst part is.. people are going to drive like idiots around these things just to see how they react
Wait you aren't going to?
bgkast wrote: It looks like a scared Koala.
Haha exactly what I was thinking!
I thought the car was just a prototype for demonstration purposes, but it turns out they're planning to eventually put this car into production. Still, they could've strapped on some cage padding.
...But will it autocross itself?
bgkast wrote: It looks like a scared Koala.
Oh my god. It is a scared koala.
JAhmed wrote: ...But will it autocross itself?
This is the million dollar question, I dont want to autox against a computer
This is where urban transport is headed. As much as I love driving, this sounds like a great solution to 45 minute 15 mile stop and go commuting.
I was driving next to one of the Google cars the other day in Mountain View and it was doing some very strange things with the brakes. I know it wasn't the "driver" either. It would speed up past the speed limit, brake back down, maintain at EXACTLY the speed limit and act a little sketchy around other cars. Maybe just not used to digital drivers, jerky and unnatural, perhaps not unsafe.
It did however stay EXACTLY in the middle of it's lane, something not oft seen in Silicon Valley 
Google Plane
RX Reven' wrote: Google Plane
Already done. It's called a 777, auto take off, auto land.
Now the trick is: keeping the pilots awake...
(cool random pic)
Whoa, I just got this idea:
Digital chauffeurs. Basically, you drive someone elses car via the internet. You must possess a special license to do so, and any unlawful actions are your responsibility. The passenger just pays you to drive, remotely. Internet connection fails, a computer takes over, briefly, until another driver reconnects.
The chauffeur would have a special driving station that would offer him far more comfort and visibility than a standard sedan, but also allow him to view realtime traffic, weather and road conditions.
At any time the passenger would be able to switch drivers (if your being a douche) or turn on the computer driver. The computer might actually always be on, watching (learning) from the "real" driver, but the real chauffeur might be smoother and more natural for the passenger.
I have a mindless 45 minute commute every day - with all kinds of wackiness. Normally I trend toward a primitive driving experience - but I kinda like it. Throw in a kegerator and we've got something.
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