Google's Self-Driving Cars Have No Steering Wheel - InformationWeek

InformationWeek is part of the Informa Tech Division of Informa PLC

This site is operated by a business or businesses owned by Informa PLC and all copyright resides with them.Informa PLC's registered office is 5 Howick Place, London SW1P 1WG. Registered in England and Wales. Number 8860726.

CIO Insights & Innovation
Security & Risk Strategy
Team Building & Staffing
IT Strategy
Digital Business
Project Management
Programming Languages
Dr. Dobb's
Enterprise Applications
Operating Systems
Productivity/Collaboration Apps
Network Security
Careers & People
Threat Intelligence
IoT
Attacks & Breaches
Application Security
Cloud Security
Endpoint Security
Mobile Security
Perimeter Security
Risk Management
Operations Security
Analytics
Vulnerabilities & Threats
Security & Risk Strategy
Infrastructure as a Service
Platform as a Service
Software as a Service
Cloud Storage
Data Centers
Mobile Applications
Mobile Devices
Mobile Business
Enterprise Mobility Management
AI/Machine Learning
Big Data Analytics
Hardware/Architectures
Software Platforms
IoT
Networking
Wireless Infrastructure
Data Centers
Cloud Infrastructure
Careers and Certifications
Network Security
Government
Healthcare
Wall Street & Technology
Bank Systems & Technology
Insurance & Technology
Industries
Government
Healthcare
Wall Street & Technology
Bank Systems & Technology
Insurance & Technology
IT Life
Careers
Mobile
Mobile Applications
Mobile Devices
Mobile Business
Enterprise Mobility Management
Software
Enterprise Applications
Operating Systems
Productivity/Collaboration Apps
Comments
Google's Self-Driving Cars Have No Steering Wheel
Newest First  |  Oldest First  |  Threaded View
Susan Fourtané
50%
50%
Susan Fourtané,
 User Rank: Author
5/31/2014 | 7:45:53 AM
Re: Legal Conundrum
randerson, 

" ... Doesn't matter how good the sensor system is, you can't avoid the laws of physics."

I am pretty sure the sensor system of your self-driving car will be better than your reaction time and reflex system. Again, most accidents are caused by human error.

-Susan 
Susan Fourtané
100%
0%
Susan Fourtané,
 User Rank: Author
5/31/2014 | 2:31:38 AM
Re: What about winter driving?
anon ... 

These cars are going to be full of sensors. I am pretty sure winter driving is being covered.

You mention well trained drivers, however, the majority of drivers don't belong to that category.

Research shows that the higher percent of accidents are caused by human error. Self-driving cars can make roads safer. 

-Susan
Alison_Diana
50%
50%
Alison_Diana,
 User Rank: Author
5/29/2014 | 4:32:24 PM
Re: Those that kill
I'm getting a motorbike.
Lorna Garey
50%
50%
Lorna Garey,
 User Rank: Author
5/29/2014 | 3:23:31 PM
Parking
What is the plan when they say the car will negate searching for a parking spot? That it will just continue to circle the city block the whole time you're in a show or restaurant? Seems like at some point it will have to park itself, in a place where someone will not block it in. I can visualize coming out of a shop, summoning my car with my Android app, and it's blocked in by some double-parking delivery driver. 
Thomas Claburn
50%
50%
Thomas Claburn,
 User Rank: Author
5/29/2014 | 12:32:38 PM
Re: Those that kill
>Old people, teenagers and alcoholics kill on the road. With self driving cars these dangers will go away. 

That assumes the law makes it mandatory to use these cars if you're a teen or elderly. Somehow I don't see that happening.
Shane M. O'Neill
100%
0%
Shane M. O'Neill,
 User Rank: Author
5/29/2014 | 10:56:20 AM
I want the wheel
I have to agree with Tom's conclusion about the yearning to take the wheel yourself. A big part of the joy of driving is actually driving the car: maneuvering, switching lanes, speeding up. It's fun. I don't see the Google Car becoming anything more than a glorified scooter used for very short trips.
Thomas Claburn
50%
50%
Thomas Claburn,
 User Rank: Author
5/28/2014 | 7:43:01 PM
Re: What about winter driving?
I expect Google's self-driving cars to follow the Segway hype cycle. In other words, they'll remain a niche commodity for decades to come.
Ariella
50%
50%
Ariella,
 User Rank: Author
5/28/2014 | 7:42:24 PM
Re: City Driving?
@Spock they'll need programming in defensive driving. At least there's no concern about drunk, drowsy, or otherwise incapacited driving for these cars. 
ChrisMurphy
50%
50%
ChrisMurphy,
 User Rank: Author
5/28/2014 | 5:51:13 PM
Self Driving
This looks like bad news for cab drivers, more than bad news for drivers in general. it's perfect for congested metro areas. Uber meets Zip.  


The State of Cloud Computing - Fall 2020
The State of Cloud Computing - Fall 2020
Download this report to compare how cloud usage and spending patterns have changed in 2020, and how respondents think they'll evolve over the next two years.
Download Now!
InformationWeek Is Getting an Upgrade!

Find out more about our plans to improve the look, functionality, and performance of the InformationWeek site in the coming months.

Editors' Choice
Commentary
New Storage Trends Promise to Help Enterprises Handle a Data Avalanche
John Edwards, Technology Journalist & Author,  4/1/2021
Slideshows
11 Things IT Professionals Wish They Knew Earlier in Their Careers
Lisa Morgan, Freelance Writer,  4/6/2021
Commentary
How to Submit a Column to InformationWeek
InformationWeek Staff 4/9/2021
Register for InformationWeek Newsletters
Video
Current Issue
Successful Strategies for Digital Transformation
Download this report to learn about the latest technologies and best practices or ensuring a successful transition from outdated business transformation tactics.
Download This Issue!
White Papers
Slideshows
Twitter Feed
Sponsored Live Streaming Video
Everything You've Been Told About Mobility Is Wrong
Attend this video symposium with Sean Wisdom, Global Director of Mobility Solutions, and learn about how you can harness powerful new products to mobilize your business potential.
Sponsored Video
Flash Poll