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Google doesn't make cars, so who is the partner on this? Given the cycle times for car models, they had to have started already...

roc 14y ago
They could deliver a taxi service initially. Given that the sensor tech is only theoretically going to become affordable as production ramps up, they may have to start there to keep pushing things forward.
- danboarder 14y ago
  The idea of autonomous taxis has been a part of the conversation for some time, I recall this was one scenario when Google was lobbying in Nevada. (think self-driving taxis on the Las Vegas strip). This NY Times article from last year hints at the same: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/11/science/11drive.html http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/11/science/11drive.html
- thematt 14y ago
  HA! Yeah right. Look at the outrage that is coming just from Uber offering a service that is basically a comfortable taxi you can hail from your phone. Now imagine what the reaction is going to be when you tell them you want to eliminate the need for a driver altogether. It'll inevitably happen, but there's a ton of legal battles that will need to be fought between now and then.
  - roc 14y ago
    Medallion/contract holders would get to squeeze out the overhead costs of employing drivers and would no longer need to ensure/insure the drivers' personal safety. This sort of automation promises to increase their profits directly. So long as this was pitched as a service for them as opposed to competing with them, I doubt they'd fight it. The only place I think you'd see push-back, is where drivers are not medallion/contract-holders but have (union) contracts that protect their place as the vehicle operator. But that's far from universal.
elchief 14y ago
BMW http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/283429/driverless_cars_are_go_at_bmw.html http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/283429/dri... Volvo http://www.psfk.com/2012/05/volvo-driverless-cars-on-public-roads.html http://www.psfk.com/2012/05/volvo-driverless-cars-on-public-... Mercedes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-j0jXEGbGs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-j0jXEGbGs GM http://www.slashgear.com/the-driverless-cars-that-want-to-run-google-off-the-road-08226819/ http://www.slashgear.com/the-driverless-cars-that-want-to-ru...
randomdata 14y ago
When autonomy started coming to agriculture equipment, it was provided by third-parties that used equipment that would integrate with equipment made by most manufacturers. I personally do not see Google going in that direction, but it is an option to offer add-on systems for all cars. It doesn't necessarily need to be a partnership with anyone.

roc 14y ago

They could deliver a taxi service initially. Given that the sensor tech is only theoretically going to become affordable as production ramps up, they may have to start there to keep pushing things forward.

danboarder 14y ago
The idea of autonomous taxis has been a part of the conversation for some time, I recall this was one scenario when Google was lobbying in Nevada. (think self-driving taxis on the Las Vegas strip). This NY Times article from last year hints at the same: http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/11/science/11drive.html http://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/11/science/11drive.html
thematt 14y ago
HA! Yeah right. Look at the outrage that is coming just from Uber offering a service that is basically a comfortable taxi you can hail from your phone. Now imagine what the reaction is going to be when you tell them you want to eliminate the need for a driver altogether. It'll inevitably happen, but there's a ton of legal battles that will need to be fought between now and then.
- roc 14y ago
  Medallion/contract holders would get to squeeze out the overhead costs of employing drivers and would no longer need to ensure/insure the drivers' personal safety. This sort of automation promises to increase their profits directly. So long as this was pitched as a service for them as opposed to competing with them, I doubt they'd fight it. The only place I think you'd see push-back, is where drivers are not medallion/contract-holders but have (union) contracts that protect their place as the vehicle operator. But that's far from universal.

elchief 14y ago

BMW http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/283429/driverless_cars_are_go_at_bmw.html http://www.autoexpress.co.uk/news/autoexpressnews/283429/dri... Volvo http://www.psfk.com/2012/05/volvo-driverless-cars-on-public-roads.html http://www.psfk.com/2012/05/volvo-driverless-cars-on-public-... Mercedes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-j0jXEGbGs http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9-j0jXEGbGs GM http://www.slashgear.com/the-driverless-cars-that-want-to-run-google-off-the-road-08226819/ http://www.slashgear.com/the-driverless-cars-that-want-to-ru...

randomdata 14y ago

When autonomy started coming to agriculture equipment, it was provided by third-parties that used equipment that would integrate with equipment made by most manufacturers. I personally do not see Google going in that direction, but it is an option to offer add-on systems for all cars. It doesn't necessarily need to be a partnership with anyone.