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Source: Google
Google’s (NASDAQ: GOOGL) has entered the next phase of the self-driving car revolution. Google’s self-driving car prototype hit the roads of Austin, Texas earlier this month as part of its next phase of testing.
The Google self-driving car fleet has driven 1.16 million miles without a driver controlling the vehicle since the project started. There have been 16 accidents so far, but all of them have been minor, and according to the company, they were the fault of the other human-driven vehicle involved.
The most recent progress report states that there are currently 23 of Google’s Lexus SUVs driving autonomously on public streets in Mountain View, Calif. and Austin. There are 25 prototypes in existence, but not all of the models are currently on public streets.
New Prototypes on Austin Streets
This next phase in testing is moving away from the Lexus SUVs that have been modified and equipped with Google’s self-driving technology. They are now introducing Google’s prototypes, pictured above. These prototypes do not include any of the standard equipment you expect in a car, such as a steering wheel or pedals. However, like the other cars that have been on the road, they still have a person in the car in case of an emergency.
The cars are being well received in Austin, with numerous posts on social media when people spot them. Residents of Austin affectionately called them “koala cars” and “panda balls.”
Local artists can submit artwork that will adorn the side of the cars around the city. If their artwork is chosen, they will also receive a ride around the city in one of Google’s cars.
Interestingly, the question the city seems to be most concerned with, according to the Google update, is about the deer around the city.
The Austin population can rest easy, though. Google let the city know that even at night, the sensors on the vehicle can detect animals, even when they are on the side of the road. The sensors even know that it is different from an inanimate object (like a fire hydrant or road sign), and the car will slow down or stop if the animal is approaching the road.
The Self-Driving Car Race
Google, which began testing autonomous vehicles in 2009, was the first to start popularizing the idea of a self-driving car. Since then nearly every major auto manufacturer, plus other software companies, are their testing self-driving cars.
Self-driving cars are the future, and it is a race to see which company will be the first to bring it to market.
Earlier this month Google named John Krafcik as the CEO of its self-driving car division. The company has discussed turning the project into an independent company in the near future.
Google doesn’t plan to manufacture cars itself. It instead plans to partner with a major auto company when it is time to introduce the self-driving cars to the market.
A new self-driving car patent application was submitted last week by Google. The patent adds a manual control option to its driverless car. Additionally, it includes a more intuitive manual switch that restores driver control if a steering wheel or pedal is touched suddenly with force. Essentially, this patent will make switching from self-driving to human-control as easy and quick as turning the headlights on and off.
Google is remaining secretive as to how exactly it plans to implement this new patent, but it comes at a time where many people are concerned with the concept of giving up all control. Some states have discussed laws that allow for technology to “help improve a driver” but not entirely replace the driver.
When the cars hit the market, investing in Google’s auto manufacturing partner and avoiding car insurance exposure will be key.
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