Google Car - (Mashable) -- Google announced Sunday that it has developed cars that drive themselves automatically in traffic, and that it has been testing them on the streets of California for months.
Thank God for Google. Anyone that has heard me rant about this subject before knows that I’ll be the first in line for one of these babies. Short of actual teleportation I’ve dreamed for years now of just getting in my car, zoning out or taking a nap, and arriving at my destination stress free (to the smartasses that are going to point out that I could always take a bus, I ask you this. How often have you felt relaxed enough to nap on the bus? Might as well take a nap in the lobby of a mental hospital at that point).
Let’s break down some points from this historic news.
1. Only one accident, and it was caused by human error. And this is in Southern California. Do you have any idea how many undocumented illegals these cars have encountered in Southern California? One accident in month’s worth of testing is downright miraculous.
2. “The vehicles' instant reaction time and 360-degree awareness would allow them to drive closer together on the highway than humans can” That alone sold me. I don’t know if you’re anything like me (but I assume you’re just as awesome as I am, you are reading this blog after all), but when I’m in traffic and the car in front of me begins leaving more than one car length of space between themselves and the car in front of them it leaves me with a few tough choices. A. Sit there and curse the inferior driver at the top of my lungs but ultimately do nothing about it. B. Swerve into the grass on the left (you won’t find me anywhere but the fast lane) and jump in front of the asshole. He left the space, he was asking for it. Or, C. Live out the bumper car fantasy on the highway and push them to close the gap. I’m edging closer and closer to C each day.
3. “But the biggest benefit for Google would be the hour or so of daily commute time the car owner would save. Instead of driving, he or she could either be productive or entertained in the vehicle, doing work on a wireless Internet (Internet) connection or watching television.” The “doing work” thing seems counter-intuitive to the idea as a whole (I’m trying to do less work, that’s why I’m having a computer drive for me) but sign me up for the rest. A bit of directed advertising is a small price to pay if I can catch up with my DVR while on the ride to family cookouts.
4. They don’t mention it in the article but this would eliminate two of the biggest hassles known to mankind. The DMV, because as soon as it’s legal for my car to chauffer me around you can bet your ass I’m never stepping foot inside that leper colony again. And Auto Insurance Companies. If I’m not driving I’d argue I don’t need to be insured. The auto makers themselves should be on the hook
5. “The most optimistic projections put this technology at least eight years away from market, though.” Shit. Guess I’ll be looking up that bus schedule after all.
