Are Driverless Vehicles the way forward
Google has embarked on a driverless car
project that involves developing technology for driverless cars.
The system combines information gathered
from Google Street View with artificial intelligence software. Google expects that the increased accuracy of
its automated driving system could help reduce the number of traffic-related
injuries and deaths, while suing energy and space on roadways more efficiently.
The project team has equipped a test fleet
of at least eight vehicles, consisting of six Toyota Prius, an Audi TT and a
Lexus RX450h, each accompanied in the driver’s seat by one of a dozen drivers
with unblemished driving records and in the passenger seat by one of Google’s
engineers. To date, the car has
traversed San Francisco’s Lombard Street, famed for its steep hairpin turns and
through city traffic. The vehicles have
driven over the Golden Gate Bridge and on the Pacific Coast Highway. The system drives at the speed limit is has
stored on its maps and maintains its distance from other vehicles using its
system of sensors. The system provides
an override that allows a human driver to take control of the car by stepping
on the brake or turning the wheel, similar to that of currently used cruise
control systems.
This could be good news as far as your
insurance premiums are concerned, if the risks do prove to be less than
traditional vehicles the insurance premium should also reduce and driving under
the influence will become a thing of the past!
However, this is all in the future for
emerging markets such as South Africa – as I am sure we are not earmarked to be
in the first or second rollout worldwide.
So until the dawn of the driverless car in
SA, sign up with GoodFella’s if you are drinking and ensure you get home
safely!
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