Google Driverless CarThe Next Big Thing Blog

Michelle FontMMC4300Fall 2013

What is the Google Driverless Car? Driverless car capable of fulfilling

the human capabilities of a traditional car. (Artificial Intelligence)

After losing his best friend in a car accident, Sebastian Thrun, a German robotics developer invented the Google car with the purpose to create a safer way to drive

Sensor on top, video cameras inside and 64 radars located along the exterior

Companies such as BMW and Lexus already have some of these special features

“Did you know that driving accidents are the number one cause of death for young people and almost all of them are due to human error instead of machine errors and can be prevented by machines”

- Sebastian Thrun, creator of the Google Driverless Car, in his TED Talk lecture

Features vary: constantly reacts to our surroundings, measures acceleration and rotation, calculate the distance between you and another car, GPS, etc.

Can be seen on Blogs, Youtube Videos, Mqgqzines and Word of Mouth

Positive Social Change Fewer Accidents

Reduce traffic congestion

Smoother ride

Regain wasted time

Removal of contraints on occupants state distracted, intoxicated

Acts as a chauffer (parking, pick up/drop up)

Helps disabled individuals

Google Driverless Car used with a Blind Man:http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cdgQpa1pUUE

Negative Social Change Legality & Insurance issues

Estimated cost is too high

Not accessible and applicable to everyone

Computer glitches/corruptions

Has not been tested under harsh weather conditions

People can hack into the system

Sudden stops can result in accidents

Design is not appealing

Will Machines Replace Us in the Future?

Slow Process – estimated date is in the year of 2018

Needs to be accepted (trusted), tested and have skilled performance

Triability? Credibility?

Americans will be even more dependent on technology

Even less face to face communication; Government would have to reshape laws and legality/insurance issues

Technology is constantly evolving and being revolutionized – until the actual Google Driverless Car comes out in 2018, traditional cars will have these same special features which can lead to disenchantment.

Discussion Question:Would you easily adopt to this technology? Do you think that it is more of a positive or negative social change?

Bibliography Falcon, Alvaris. 10 Upcoming Technology That May

Change The World. <http://www.hongkiat.com/blog/revolutionary-products/>.

Oxford University Press. Definition of Artificial Intelligence.

2013. <http://www.oxforddictionaries.com/us/definition/american_english/artificial-intelligence>.