In case you've been out of the loop, Google does a lot more than simply process all those web searches and keep the gloss on Chrome; for some time, the company has been working on developing self-driving automobiles.
And, so far, the project seems to be a rousing success.
The Atlantic
As the article goes on to explain, though, their work is far from over. These cars haven't really been tested in extreme weather conditions that could negatively impact performance, and they have to be driven a lot longer before we'll know for sure if they are superior to human drivers. Beyond that, there are a whole host of issues (legal or otherwise) that would have to be worked out before anyone could dream of these cars being mass produced.
Still, it's an exciting demonstration of how far technology has come. Ten years ago, the idea might have seemed laughable. Today, it's beginning to take shape. Ten years from now? That'll be something to see.
Nitpick and complain all you like, I'm glad to live in a world where Knight Rider is becoming more and more plausible.
And, so far, the project seems to be a rousing success.
...Earlier this week the company announced that the self-driving cars have now logged some 300,000 miles and "there hasn't been a single accident under computer control." (The New York Times did note in a 2010 article that a self-driving car was rear-ended while stopped at a traffic light, so Google must not be counting the incidents that were the fault of flawed humans.)
As the article goes on to explain, though, their work is far from over. These cars haven't really been tested in extreme weather conditions that could negatively impact performance, and they have to be driven a lot longer before we'll know for sure if they are superior to human drivers. Beyond that, there are a whole host of issues (legal or otherwise) that would have to be worked out before anyone could dream of these cars being mass produced.
Still, it's an exciting demonstration of how far technology has come. Ten years ago, the idea might have seemed laughable. Today, it's beginning to take shape. Ten years from now? That'll be something to see.
Nitpick and complain all you like, I'm glad to live in a world where Knight Rider is becoming more and more plausible.