Google moving a step further from outside the internet world, working on to get self-driving cars into dealerships and onto the roads. The Wall Street Journal reports that Google was in Detroit discussing the possibilities to develop self-driving cars was in the Motor City to send a message that the Internet company is looking for partners to bring its innovations to market within the next decade.
“We’re talking to every car company to see what their level of excitement is,” said Anthony Levandowski, head of Google’s project to develop software and sensors to allow vehicles to drive themselves. The company still needs to do “millions of miles” of testing before it is ready to offer a self driving car system for sale, Mr. Levandowski said. It also is discussing with insurers how to address the liability issues raised by self driving cars. But he said he expects a system could be ready “much sooner than the next decade. If not, shame on us as engineers.”
Google hasn’t decided how it could market a self-driving car system, he said. While the main challenges relate to software, he said, there are hardware issues, such as the cost and reliability of sensors to detect hazards around the car. Discussing the options to market and make the car available to the end users, he said, the company are proposing partnerships with auto makers, offering systems as aftermarket installations. “I’m not suggesting we’re going to do that,” he added.
(Image Credit: Zack Sheppard)
