Coming to a Street Near You: Driverless Cars

The driverless car – an automobile using autopilot allowing it to navigate parking lots, city roads and even highways – may be coming to a street near you!

Google has launched one of the most advanced road transportation projects in the world.  The program uses Google Street View and artificial intelligence software combined with video cameras installed in and on the car, to allow the driver to literally take her hands off the wheel.

The driver can operate the car conventionally, or punch in the destination on the enhanced GPS, confirm the route, and turn control over to the car’s robotic driver system.

And so far, Google’s driverless cars have handled some routes that many drivers would find challenging: San Francisco’s Lombard Street (a test with its steep hairpin turns), the Golden Gate Bridge suspended 67 meters above San Francisco Bay, around Lake Tahoe, and even on the Pacific Coast highway.

But Wait!

Maybe more research is needed before these cars can get cost-effective insurance coverage?

Earlier this month, one of Google’s driverless cars – a Toyota Prius – smacked into the back of a parked vehicle outside Google’s California headquarters.  The bump triggered a chain reaction – 5 vehicles in all!

Google’s defence:  a human driver was operating the car at the time of the collision.

Tags: car, driverless, google, google car, insurance, Liability, risk, safety