Tuan Nguyen
CS100W
de la Calle
November 11, 2016
Autonomous Driving
Cars have changes drastically throughout the years. The very first car invented was considered a “horseless carriage," because it has its own gasoline engine and fuel tank utilizing its four bicycle wheels instead of horses’ legs. Auto technology has increased significantly, leading to the idea of a self-driven car. At first, this was just an idea of a car being able to navigate on its own. The company “Google,” believed that creating this automobile will allow anyone regardless of their ability to drive, to get around safely. Whether it came from a research phase or just a general idea, now they are turning this lifesaving technology into reality (“Markoff, 2016”).
(“Google Self-Driving Car Project, 2016)
Google is an immense tech company that has different departments focusing on ways to make life a little simpler. One of these departments is the “Google Self-Driving Car Project,” which focuses on creating the automobile that navigates itself. Many countries are looking forward to these cars because it is more economical and is a safer way of commuting (Barr, 2016). The concern people have on this subject is that the technical functionality of the vehicle. Hence, why the project team is continuously testing the car in the city streets, making sure it is maneuvering through the streets safely and within the city regulations (“Markoff, 2016”).
Customers that are looking forward to this self-driven vehicle want to be ensured that they will be safe. The idea of a car driving on its own is just considered “cool,” until someone gets injured (“Thrun, 2011”). Since the launch of this project, Google has kept backlogs of the vehicle performance, whether it had any error or involved in any incidents. This documentation will be proof to the public that this vehicle has undergone years of testing and has shown minimal accidents. For example, I purchased a 2016 Honda Accord Touring, which had a feature to break itself when coming close to an object. I’ve tested its ability to brake when coming too close to another car or obstacle, preventing myself from an accident. Honda had documents containing these tests, which made me feel safe.
Customers can work with the company easier when they know that they are safe and if any problem arises they will be able to help resolve the problem. Google has not only created a vehicle that is great for business, but it’s also what our future will be like. Safer driving environment and time spent commuting will be critical to our next generation and this project will continue to grow.
References
Barr, A. (n.d.). Google's Self-Driving Car Project Is Losing Out to Rivals. Retrieved November 11, 2016, from https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2016-09-12/google-car-project-loses-leaders-and-advantage-as-rivals-gain
Markoff, J. (n.d.). Google's Self-Driving Car Involved In Another Crash. Retrieved November 11, 2016, from http://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/06/technology/alphabet-google-autonomous-car-chris-urmson.html?_r=0
Google Self-Driving Car Project. (n.d.). Retrieved November 11, 2016, from https://www.google.com/selfdrivingcar/
Google's driverless car. (n.d.). Retrieved November 11, 2016, from https://www.ted.com/talks/sebastian_thrun_google_s_driverless_car?language=en
