Technology: Google's Self-Driving Car

Google has been working hard at developing a self-driving car (as if we really needed something to make us more lazy! But since this is actually pretty cool, tech-wise, we're going to plug along anyways) and they've been doing a pretty bang up job of it.

Clearly, the good folks at Google want to take over the world. Not happy with just running the world's most awesome search engine, they've moved into other realms of the tech market, with their Google Earth, Chrome web browser, the Android smartphone OS, Chrome OS for laptops and tablets, Google Cloud... and so on.

Self-driving cars are very definitely part of the future we’ve been promised, at least according to that most timeless of visionary glimpses into mankind’s technological future, and this may be the first step we see in finally getting to the long-promised flying car.

Google's been quietly pestering the state of Nevada to allow the usage of their vehicles. There are two bills in the Nevada legislature relating to this. The bills would also allow users of self-driving vehicles to text while sitting behind the steering wheel – the one they wouldn’t be using. Additionally, the bills would allow users to operate the self-driving vehicles by programming a destination and letting the vehicle drive there without human intervention.

Look, Ma, no hands!

Google noted that their fleet of self-driving vehicles have already been active on roads in California, and even brought out a Las Vegas lobbyist to discuss how the vehicles could increase fuel efficiency and decrease accidents. In the long term, self-driving vehicles that are connected to a network that’s aware of traffic and road conditions could automatically optimize a "driver's" commute based on traffic, construction delays, and other obstacles on the roads. This also ties in to Google working with Ford to get its Prediction API into cars.

Although Google's team says that the tech is at least eight years away from being in your car, the technology is already impressive. The New York Times, in fact, saw one of these cars in action: a Prius (no one's going to miss a Prius if the test fucks up) equipped with numerous sensors that was following a route programmed into the GPS navigation system flawlessly.

According to the New York Times:

It drove at the speed limit, which it knew because the limit for every road is included in its database, and left the freeway several exits later. The device atop the car produced a detailed map of the environment.
The car then drove in city traffic through Mountain View, stopping for lights and stop signs, as well as making announcements like "approaching a crosswalk" (to warn any human currently asleep at the wheel) or "turn ahead" in a pleasant female voice.

I would like to think that these cars would be the real life equivalent of KITT from TV's Knight Rider (the one with the Hoff, not that crappy remake) and be the most badass thing on the planet, but I have this sneaking suspicion that it's one bug away from being more like HAL and end up driving your sleeping ass right off a bridge. Yay, clouds.