Google Takes the Wheel on Self-Driving Car Concept

The whispers are developing into murmurs from automakers on plans to follow Google’s lead and develop self-driving car concepts. While Google has already successfully auto-piloted its test car through traffic in Silicon Valley, major automakers start to ramp up. Nissan unveiled a futuristic driverless car at a tech show – while Ford, Audi, and BMW are in a testing phase. The end game: Down the road, the technology could be developed to automate simple driving in places such as college campuses or business complexes before hitting mainstream roads.

Via New York Times, Googe Auto, and Seeking Alpha

Open the Car Door HAL

Google’s Eric Schmidt continues to hype the development of a self-driving car, this week taking up the case at the annual Allen & Co. media confab in Sun Valley. According to the exec, the innovation works splendidly as drivers equipped with a “Google Maps on steroids” and computer-powered lasers can increase safety and fuel efficiency. Automakers quietly back the technology, with Ford going on record as saying self-driving cars of some variety will be here within five years. Increasingly, the question on the tech is not why or if, but when? Race on: GM, Ford, Chrysler, Honda, Toyota, Tesla, Volkswagen, Daimler, Hyundai, and BMW.

 

via SeekingAlpha.com and AutoNews.com