This is the latest prototype version of Google’s self driving car and, well, it looks pretty much the same but a bit more practical.
This prototype is the most complete yet, having been fitted with functional headlights, indicators, larger side mirrors, new wheels, a steering wheel a pedals and a restyled terrain sensor on the roof. Google says this is the “first complete prototype of fully autonomous driving” and also “the best holiday gift“.
We don’t know about that. It does look rather silly but when it comes to testing revolutionary technologies, looks can be deceiving because after they get proof of concept, the systems can later be fitted to basically any type of vehicle.
The car will be tested on the streets of Northern California in 2015, with test drivers continuing to oversee the vehicle by ” using temporary manual controls as needed while we continue to test and learn.”
Some feel that in order to have fully autonomous cars zipping around, first you need the right infrastructure for it, otherwise you’ll be constantly relying on the cars’ sensors to bail you out of any situation that might arise.
However, having a self driving car does sound appealing in the sense that it would help the driver take a break during long motorway cruises. But to have a whole city full of them? Well, why not just take the subway?
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