Google Creates A Car That Needs No Driver

A car without a driver. A man without a brain. A map that needs not user.

Google says that “we have developed technology for cars that can drive themselves.”

The cars are not ready for prime time yet. They have been driven in test runs on more than 140,000 miles of road with an operator and software engineer on board.

The search firm claims “Our goal is to help prevent traffic accidents, free up people’s time and reduce carbon emissions by fundamentally changing car use”

Cars that can “see” trouble ahead could help decrease the accidents that kill 1.2 million people worldwide each year. Vehicles that take the shortest route, and the one that needs the least “stop and go” traffic will cut gasoline use. And people who do not have to drive can read e-books on their Kindles.

Over time, if the product advances, it will become part of the optional and eventually standard equipment for vehicles. That will cost the car companies money to add hardware, but could actually help drivers more than anyone could imagine.

Douglas A. McIntyre