It seems fuel efficiency, reliability and price tag are among the top priorities for consumers in the market to buy a car and rightfully so, given the status of the economy and price of oil. Yet, consumers are still faced with a tough decision as the automobile industry has created a variety of vehicles that run on alternate fuel or battery power. What seems to differentiate vehicles in today's market are the technologies provided such as backup sensors, rear cameras and GPS capabilities. Ford, Lexus and BMW are amongst several dealers that even provide self-parking options. Back in the day if a car came equipped with power windows and locks that was considered a luxury whereas today it is commonplace. With a self- parking option for cars, why not take it a step further? Well, Google has!
The software giant, Google always on the cutting edge of technology has developed a Driverless Car. Yes, a driver-less car! A team of fifteen engineers have created a system which combines information from Google Street View with artificial intelligence software that uses input from video cameras inside the car, a sensor on top, radar sensors on the front and a position sensor on the rear wheel. As of 2010, several vehicles have been tested driving on their own for at least 1,000 miles without any human intervention. They have also documented vehicles with this technology driving for up to140,000 miles with occasional human interaction. The driverless car system has been tested over the Golden Gate Bridge, down Lombard Street and on the Pacific Coast Highway. The program allows cars to be driven at the speed limit, using its stored maps and maintains distance between cars with its system of sensors. Google has given drivers the ability to override the system by stepping on the brake or turning the wheel as seen with the use of Cruise Control. There has only been one documented accident with the driverless car near Google HQ in which the company stated it was being driven manually at the time.
The driverless car program provides a world of possibility for consumers, the economy, insurance companies- you name it. By having a vehicle that drives at a constant controlled speed it will reduce a vehicle's wear and tear and fuel consumption, not to mention it should greatly reduce the number of automobile accidents. The downside? We don't know the price tag. According to CNN Money, the base price tag may be as high as $92,000.
What are your thoughts on today's new technology for cars. Do you like the idea of self parking and how would self driving programs impact your daily life?
Check out the CNN Money video here or read the Wikipedia webpage here.
Drive on...
Savvy Student
The software giant, Google always on the cutting edge of technology has developed a Driverless Car. Yes, a driver-less car! A team of fifteen engineers have created a system which combines information from Google Street View with artificial intelligence software that uses input from video cameras inside the car, a sensor on top, radar sensors on the front and a position sensor on the rear wheel. As of 2010, several vehicles have been tested driving on their own for at least 1,000 miles without any human intervention. They have also documented vehicles with this technology driving for up to140,000 miles with occasional human interaction. The driverless car system has been tested over the Golden Gate Bridge, down Lombard Street and on the Pacific Coast Highway. The program allows cars to be driven at the speed limit, using its stored maps and maintains distance between cars with its system of sensors. Google has given drivers the ability to override the system by stepping on the brake or turning the wheel as seen with the use of Cruise Control. There has only been one documented accident with the driverless car near Google HQ in which the company stated it was being driven manually at the time.
The driverless car program provides a world of possibility for consumers, the economy, insurance companies- you name it. By having a vehicle that drives at a constant controlled speed it will reduce a vehicle's wear and tear and fuel consumption, not to mention it should greatly reduce the number of automobile accidents. The downside? We don't know the price tag. According to CNN Money, the base price tag may be as high as $92,000.
What are your thoughts on today's new technology for cars. Do you like the idea of self parking and how would self driving programs impact your daily life?
Check out the CNN Money video here or read the Wikipedia webpage here.
Drive on...
Savvy Student
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