Google has over the years been experimenting with autonomous cars, cars that drive themselves. They have released various prototypes that run on popular brands like Lexus but earlier this week, they displayed an indigenous vehicle (body parts and systems all built in Google’s labs), a small bug-like electric car that has one distinguishing feature that separates it from their earlier prototypes: that is the absence of a sterling wheel. That means that the driver can’t override the auto-drive and manually take control.
The car drives itself from start to finish. A concept that might be scary for some, but I am intrigued. It was stated that the cars will be released to the public by 2016, but I am guessing they will be operating in cities with good network of roads for the first few years. Google’s autonomous cars relies on the Google Maps and mapping is a favorite hobby of mine. I have been working on a particular traffic meter app that reads data off an online database but my major gripe is how the data can be maintained and updated. So it is interesting to see pre-collected information such as the Google Map being used to aid the automation of human operations such as driving. This presents a number of potential flaws, like what if there is a major change in the road infrastructure of a place, what if there is an earthquake, something that completely damages the road, rendering pre-collected data partially or completely useless.
For me personally, working on my latest map oriented project, I am looking at the feasibility of relying on map data and the entire concept of autonomous cars. Can these cars work in developing nations, on African roads perhaps? I am optimistic and will keep working on it. I am glad that Google is brave enough to aggressively push into these dangerous waters, inspiring the rest of us little people.
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