Technology company Google recently unveiled its latest creation—a tiny electric car. This car has typical car parts, like wheels and windows, but what makes the vehicle special are the things that are missing. It has no steering wheel, no gas pedal, no brake pedal—not even a driver! It’s a self-driving car, and experts say it may be the future of road travel.
“We think this [car] could improve road safety and help lots of people who can’t drive,” says Chris Urmson, director of Google’s Self-Driving Car Project.
The car is meant to pick people up from one place and take them to another, all with the push of a button. It has only two seats (with seat belts), a space for passengers’ belongings, start and stop buttons, and a screen showing the route.
AN EYE TOWARD SAFETY
Riding in a car without a human driver may seem scary, but the vehicle was designed with safety in mind. Its sensors can detect objects at a distance of more than two football fields in all directions. The car can change speeds, turn, and brake as needed to avoid a crash. It also has a backup motor and brakes that can take over if anything goes wrong.
“Our software . . . can detect hundreds of distinct objects simultaneously—pedestrians, buses, a stop sign held up by a crossing guard, or a cyclist,” says Urmson. “A self-driving vehicle can pay attention to all of these things in a way that a human physically can’t—and it never gets tired or distracted.”
In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that roughly 90 percent of all car accidents are caused by human error. Experts say self-driving cars could someday nearly eliminate car accidents.
THE FUTURE OF CARS
A recent study predicted that by 2025, more than 200,000 self-driving cars could be sold annually worldwide. By 2035, that number could reach 11.8 million.
Google envisions a future in which people won’t need to own cars. They would simply order a self-driving car when they need one, just like calling a taxi. That would help reduce the number of cars on the road and cut down on pollution that harms the environment.
Google plans to begin testing about 100 prototypes (models) of the car later this summer near its Mountain View, California, headquarters. California law does not yet allow self-driving cars on the road without a human who can intervene. So the vehicles will be tested with a trained, licensed driver inside ready to take over if necessary.
“We’re going to learn a lot from this experience,” Urmson wrote in a blog post. “If the technology develops as we hope, we’ll work with partners to bring [it] into the world safely.”
Technology company Google recently unveiled its latest creation—a tiny electric car. This car has typical car parts, like wheels and windows, but what makes the vehicle special are the things that are missing. It has no steering wheel, no gas pedal, no brake pedal—not even a driver! It’s a self-driving car, and experts say it may be the future of road travel.“We think this [car] could improve road safety and help lots of people who can’t drive,” says Chris Urmson, director of Google’s Self-Driving Car Project.The car is meant to pick people up from one place and take them to another, all with the push of a button. It has only two seats (with seat belts), a space for passengers’ belongings, start and stop buttons, and a screen showing the route.AN EYE TOWARD SAFETYRiding in a car without a human driver may seem scary, but the vehicle was designed with safety in mind. Its sensors can detect objects at a distance of more than two football fields in all directions. The car can change speeds, turn, and brake as needed to avoid a crash. It also has a backup motor and brakes that can take over if anything goes wrong.“Our software . . . can detect hundreds of distinct objects simultaneously—pedestrians, buses, a stop sign held up by a crossing guard, or a cyclist,” says Urmson. “A self-driving vehicle can pay attention to all of these things in a way that a human physically can’t—and it never gets tired or distracted.”In fact, the World Health Organization estimates that roughly 90 percent of all car accidents are caused by human error. Experts say self-driving cars could someday nearly eliminate car accidents.THE FUTURE OF CARSA recent study predicted that by 2025, more than 200,000 self-driving cars could be sold annually worldwide. By 2035, that number could reach 11.8 million.Google envisions a future in which people won’t need to own cars. They would simply order a self-driving car when they need one, just like calling a taxi. That would help reduce the number of cars on the road and cut down on pollution that harms the environment.Google plans to begin testing about 100 prototypes (models) of the car later this summer near its Mountain View, California, headquarters. California law does not yet allow self-driving cars on the road without a human who can intervene. So the vehicles will be tested with a trained, licensed driver inside ready to take over if necessary.“We’re going to learn a lot from this experience,” Urmson wrote in a blog post. “If the technology develops as we hope, we’ll work with partners to bring [it] into the world safely.”
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