Google launches new driverless car

Google has launched its new autonomous car. It is an evolution of the patented technology a few years ago and now has dispensed with steering wheel or pedals. Total, why need a robot with wheels? The vehicle opens up a world of possibilities, but also poses a few problems that make it clear that it will not arrive tomorrow to roads.

Before talking about the new device and its challenges, we review the path followed Google to get here. In 2011, the company in the United States a patent for autonomous car capable of driving on their own without human intervention. Through all kinds of sensors, cameras and internet connection, the car could recognize its surroundings and act accordingly.

In 2012, the search engine company was licensed to put this car into service and has since done all types of field tests and even has already circulating cars in some cities in the United States, also in the testing phase. Since then, the company has been offering some details and has even posted impressive video demonstrating how well it works until this model without wheel without pedals:

As we see the autonomous car-where many other companies are working not only Google- opens a world of possibilities. For example you could optimize fuel consumption and reduce pollution. Computers current car and try to do it but always depends on the human driver so never use 100% optimized.

Furthermore the autonomous car would also allow all users behind the wheel of vehicles without having to be accompanied by anyone although suffering from a physical disability. Thus a blind person could flow smoothly something that would also be possible for a person with mobility problems.

A car with a computer brain and sensors for eyes not commit the mistakes committed by a person and drastically reduce accidents, bearing in mind that most are caused by human error and the leading cause of death is driving consumption substances such as alcohol. However this advantage also raises doubts.

For example, if an unavoidable accident were to occur by an external cause such as lightning a tree collapses or dog crossing the street, the car would have to decide how to act. In this regard should a car jeopardize or sacrifice his own life to save the occupants of a vehicle that would conflict if a quick calculation of probability indicate so

In this sense, technology is also a new challenge for insurers especially when making policies. In this case we should determine who assign responsibility in case of accident the manufacturer of the software the software itself or the driver.

There is a loophole right now and unfortunately have to take him to court to resolve he said in February 2013 the president of the Insurance Information Institute. According to this expert the implementation of truly autonomous driving in a vehicle still take 15 to 20 years to reach the roads of USA. Before arriving rain assistance systems more and more sophisticated than help the driver with automatic brakes for example and can be found in models for sale.