Google Gets Driverless License For Nevada Roads 215
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Unknown Lamer
from the but-officer-the-car-was-driving dept.
from the but-officer-the-car-was-driving dept.
Fluffeh writes "On Monday, the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles approved Google's license application to test autonomous vehicles on the state's roads. The state had approved such laws back in February, and has now begun issuing licenses based on those regulations. The state previously outlined that companies that want to test such vehicles will need an insurance bond of $1 million and must provide detailed outlines of where they plan to test it and under what conditions. Further, the car must have two people in it at all times, with one behind the wheel who can take control of the vehicle if needed. The Autonomous Review Committee of the Nevada DMV is supervising the first licensing procedure and has now approved corresponding plates to go with it, complete with a red background and infinity symbol."
2 people (Score:5, Interesting)
Re:Google Beta (Score:5, Interesting)
I wonder who's going to be immortalised as the first person to be killed by a computer-controlled car?
Re:Google Beta (Score:2, Interesting)
Is someone holding a gun to your head and forcing you to use Google's services?
Since when is "gun to the head" the standard by which these things are judged anyway?
Is the TSA putting a gun to my head. No. I can choose not to ever leave my house. Is Google putting a gun to my head? No... I can choose not to use the internet.
And if I want to avoid the TSA and Google I guess I might as well live in a cave. But its completely my choice not to live in a cave... nobody put a gun to my head. /facepalm
That said, I for one like using the internet.
And you have to take some pretty significant effort to avoid leaving an imprint of yourself on google's stuff.
You aren't private by default, which is as it should be.
Re:Google Beta (Score:3, Interesting)
While I don't share the paranoid viewpoints of some, your argument fails from the outset. Google may not be holding a gun to my head, but a poorly designed AI car can certainly cause as much damage as a pistol (if not more) Let alone the damage that could be caused if poorly designed AI cars achieve fleet numbers.
That said, I trust Google on this one (well, Google plus the powers that be along the approval process) Putting out a shoddy product in this venture would cause a Torches and Pitchforks riot the likes of which haven't been seen in my lifetime. And Google knows it.
Re:What is the point of a driverless car? (Score:4, Interesting)
What is the point of a driverless car?
In order of importance:
1. Increased safety. Did you know that in the US, 1 out of 9,000 people die in a car accident each year? That is freaky high. Over a lifetime that works out to almost a 1% chance. Autonomous cars can be much safer, are never distracted and never get tired.
2. Increased access. Folks who are blind or have other disabilities cannot get around by car. Same for older people or people to young to drive. Same for drunk people..
3. Increased productivity. A car can be your office. Get work done or spend time doing personal reading.
4. Increased fuel efficiency. Autonomous cars will eventually have the ability to work together to draft and save gas milage
5. Decreased costs. Autonomous cars will eventually lead to services where you do not have to buy a car. Simply pay for a ride and have a car show up when you need it.