Google’s Self-Driving Cars Complete 300K Miles Without Accident

[The Right Honourable Mlle Antéchrist]

http://techcrunch.com/2012/08/07/google-cars-300000-miles-without-accident/

Google’s self-driving car project is probably one of the most audacious experiments the company has embarked upon. Today, Google announced another milestone for this project: its fleet of about a dozen autonomous cars has now driven 300,000 miles without a single accident under computer control. While this is obviously very positive news for the project, Google warns that “there’s still a long road ahead.” The cars still need to learn how to handle snow-covered roads, for example, and how to interpret temporary construction signs and other situations that could throw its systems for a loop.

According to today’s update, Google also plans to soon let some of the team’s members drive the cars solo for their daily commutes. Currently, the cars are always driven by at least two people, but the team apparently feels that the project has reached a point where it’s safe to just have one person operate the cars.

“For now, our team members will remain in the driver’s seats and will take back control if needed.” There have, of course been some accidents that involved Google’s self-driving cars in the past. All of these, however, happened while humans were in control of the cars.

Pretty cool. Not sure if the project will actually pan out, but the lack of accidents is rather impressive.

Edit: Edited because I apparently can't go 5 words without an accident.

[JohnE]

I am soooooooo looking forward to self driving cars. That would make my daily life much easier and less stressful.

Of course, by the time they're cheap enough for me to afford one, I'll be in a rest home anyway.

[Random Gal]

I'm still waiting for those flying cars we were supposed to get "in the year Two Thousand!"

It's been twelve years. Where's my flying car?

[armandtanzarian]

Well they definitely have a better track record than me.

[Art Vandelay]

Today, Google announced another milestone for this project: its fleet of about a dozen autonomous cars has now driven 300,000 miles without a single accident under computer control. While this is obviously very positive news for the project, Google warns that “there’s still a long road ahead.”

I see what you did there, Google.

[The Right Honourable Mlle Antéchrist]

I'm still waiting for those flying cars we were supposed to get "in the year Two Thousand!"

It's been twelve years. Where's my flying car?

http://www.cbsnews.com/8301-505164_162-57409394-10391734/american-flying-car-soars-in-test-flight/

[Igor]

I think a flying car would be a little impractical, myself. Now where's my hoverboard?

[Witchyjoshy]

So does this mean that it encountered an accident at 300,001 miles? :3

[Sleepy]

Wow, this is impressive to see. I hadn't been following the project and had no idea it had progressed this far.

[kefkaownsall]

Luddites but it might glitch
Seriously seeing how 90-99.5% of car accidents are caused by human error.

[agentCDE]

I'd take a glitchy AI over the frothing-at-the-mouth psychopaths that are on the road today. At least then I die while the red eye-camera on my dashboard soothes me with a monotone, "I'm sorry. I can't do that, Dave."

Though, to be serious for a moment, how does it handle heavy/gridlock traffic? Part of the problem with New York drivers is NYC streets, after all.

[Fpqxz]

Two things I would like to know:

1.  Are self-driving cars street legal in any of the 50 states?

2.  Who am I supposed to curse at and flip the bird if one of these robo-cars cuts me off on the highway?

[Yla]

Two things I would like to know:

1.  Are self-driving cars street legal in any of the 50 states?

2.  Who am I supposed to curse at and flip the bird if one of these robo-cars cuts me off on the highway?

1. Last I heard, Nevada was introducing legislation.
2. Anthropomorphise them. Curse and flip away.