Google's Self-Driving Car: 300,000 Miles, 0 Accidents

[Gahars]

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.

...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.)

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.

 

[Rockhoundhigh]

That's pretty damn cool actually and depressing at the same time, A.I.'s are starting to do everything better than people though with how I typically see people driving where I live that's not really surprising.

 

[Gahars]

That's pretty damn cool actually and depressing at the same time, A.I.'s are starting to do everything better than people though with how I typically see people driving where I live that's not really surprising.

Well, computers don't get distracted, have "bad days", slip up, etc.

Yet, anyway.

 

[gamefan5]

That's pretty damn cool actually and depressing at the same time, A.I.'s are starting to do everything better than people though with how I typically see people driving where I live that's not really surprising.

Well, computers don't get distracted, have "bad days", slip up, etc.

Yet, anyway.

But computers have their own slip ups too. Viruses, Trojan, slow downs etc.

 

[nryn99]

That's pretty damn cool actually and depressing at the same time, A.I.'s are starting to do everything better than people though with how I typically see people driving where I live that's not really surprising.

Well, computers don't get distracted, have "bad days", slip up, etc.

Yet, anyway.

they crash though.

 

[Gahars]

That's pretty damn cool actually and depressing at the same time, A.I.'s are starting to do everything better than people though with how I typically see people driving where I live that's not really surprising.

Well, computers don't get distracted, have "bad days", slip up, etc.

Yet, anyway.

But computers have their own slip ups too. Viruses, Trojan, slow downs etc.

I meant "slip up" more along the lines of "make a dumb mistake" (like hitting the wrong pedal). Computers are not going to be completely invulnerable, but they're easier to fix and keep track of than a person.

Also, you're thinking too much into the joke. That's the computer's job.

 

[KingVamp]

Ten years from now? That'll be something to see.

Mass produced flying/hover cars?

That's pretty damn cool actually and depressing at the same time, A.I.'s are starting to do everything better than people though with how I typically see people driving where I live that's not really surprising.

Well, computers don't get distracted, have "bad days", slip up, etc.

Yet, anyway.

But officer, the computer was doing it's hair. It isn't my fault...

 

[Deleted member 158512]

Next step is to invent asshole AI:
-Cut you off.... then drive 10 under the speed limit!
-2-way stop?.... pretend it's a 4-way stop until you cause an accident!
-100 parking spots?.... pick the one right next to you, and make sure you can't get to the driver's side door!

 

[nryn99]

Ten years from now? That'll be something to see.

Mass produced flying/hover cars?

what? we're not in space yet?

about the viruses/hacking.

it might be easier to cause a huge accident just by sitting in front of your pc.

 

[Tom]

Next step is to invent asshole AI:
-Cut you off.... then drive 10 under the speed limit!
-2-way stop?.... pretend it's a 4-way stop until you cause an accident!
-100 parking spots?.... pick the one right next to you, and make sure you can't get to the driver's side door!

If i can get my hands on an AI car then that may happen

 

[chavosaur]

This is really cool. Science continues to astound me...

 

[Dann Woolf]

Mass produced flying/hover cars?

I'll be honest, I'd rather have a flying car than a car that drives itself.

 

[Rydian]

Driving's such a bore at times, people who do lots of daily driving would probably love this.

That's pretty damn cool actually and depressing at the same time, A.I.'s are starting to do everything better than people though with how I typically see people driving where I live that's not really surprising.

Boobs > AI.

 

[chavosaur]

Just realized, my father runs The Conway Trucking Facility down here in san antonio, and self driving cars could lead into self driving trucks.
Therefore, many truckers around the world could lose their jobs to robots ;O;
Granted that wouldn't be til way into the future...

 

[ComeTurismO]

I was expecting this by Google,

Search Engine > Phone >Tv > car?

 

[JPhantom]

i think before the car hts mass production we need a google toaster. the progression above doesn't make sense without toaster bridging the gap between tv and car

 

[Izen]

We're far more likely than not closer to seeing computer-assisted driving in most commercial vehicles, which, in my opinion, is far superior than 100% computer-controlled driving. A computer can prohibit people from running lights and stop signs, going (significantly) over the speed limit, or colliding with other vehicles under normal conditions, and that's what Google should be concentrating on, rather than a computer that operates a vehicle all on its lonesome.

But I'm not a multi-billion dollar corporation, I'm just some guy on a video game forum, so what do I know?

 

[Celice]

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=a9a_1344392910

Somehow I still see "google" and "car-crash" despite this news D:

 

[KingVamp]

We're far more likely than not closer to seeing computer-assisted driving in most commercial vehicles, which, in my opinion, is far superior than 100% computer-controlled driving. A computer can prohibit people from running lights and stop signs, going (significantly) over the speed limit, or colliding with other vehicles under normal conditions, and that's what Google should be concentrating on, rather than a computer that operates a vehicle all on its lonesome.

But I'm not a multi-billion dollar corporation, I'm just some guy on a video game forum, so what do I know?

I'm pretty they can make it semi control by software to do such a thing.
Your hands go off the wheel and it kicks in 100%.

http://www.liveleak....=a9a_1344392910

Somehow I still see "google" and "car-crash" despite this news D:

Is that even real? Is that even the same thing?

 

[MelodieOctavia]

http://www.liveleak.com/view?i=a9a_1344392910

Somehow I still see "google" and "car-crash" despite this news D:

The street view cars are not automated, and many have been stolen in the LA area. This may very well be one that was ditched after someone had fun with it.