There are a lot of startups in the area that work on some aspect needed for self driving cars. Some specialize in the mapping tools needed for current cars (the

There are a lot of startups in the area that work on some aspect needed for self driving cars. Some specialize in the mapping tools needed for current cars (they can only go down streets that have been pre-scanned for them). Others handle the sensors or software to turn that into a useable understanding of the world. My guess is that most of them are either being started, or funded, in hopes of being picked up by one of the big players in this area. I have seen quite a number in Mountain View.