I'm definitely investing in Google stocks

[Max_Power]

http://gawker.com/5659990/googles-driverless-cars-may-have-already-passed-you-on-the-highway

Google's Secret Driverless Cars May Have Already Passed You on the Highway

In a blog post, Google has revealed that seven retrofitted Priuses have been cruising around California without any drivers. Well, Google employees are behind the wheel in case something goes wrong. But these cars drive themselves! Google owns the future.

According to the New York Times, the cars have already driven more than 1,000 miles "without human intervention," up and down Highway 1 and have even navigated San Francisco's notoriously winding Lombard Street. The Priuses (Prii?) use cameras, radar sensors and a laser range finder hooked up to artificial intelligence software to steer the rig, and data from Google Maps to navigate, according to the official Google blog.

Wow, what other awesome gadgets does Google have that it's not telling us about? A robot that automatically calls your Mom for you every week? Please say yes.

I want one, even if that shit's a prius

[The Spaghetti Incident?]

I can see the practical benefits, but I enjoy the hands on approach to driving and I think I'd rather keep it that way.

[Max_Power]

but that's the thing. driving is much less of an enjoyment as it is a chore. Think about it, would you rather spend and hour sitting in your car during rush hour, or would you rather sit back, relax, and let the car drive you to your work? Don't get me wrong, I like driving too, but I wouldn't like to have to drive every day to work when I can spend that time sleeping.

There are much more benefits to a driverless car. For example, there would be much less accidents, resulting in a much more streamlined traffic flow, and fatalities caused by calling, texting, drinking and driving would be down to a mere fraction of what it is now. Plus, I've always wondered what it's like to watch porn as you're driving.

[The Spaghetti Incident?]

You made a few strong points I hadn't considered, I sort of haven't experienced a lot of that yet because let's face it my town is butt fuck nowhere, there's barely traffic! For some reason I'm picturing Arnie in Total Recall driving around in Johnny Cabs and how annoying the bastards were

These guys are either on the verge of turning Google into Microsoft 2.0 (ie. a 2000's world wide domination phenomenon) or this won't get patented and picked up. But it looks like this is going to happen considering the testing looks like it's had a solid run. Top Gear will probably throw a tantrum over this

[jplpool]

Maybe it's just me, but would anybody else feel slightly uneasy doing 80mph on a motorway, or even doin 50mph on an a-road, trusting a piece of software not to malfunction?

[Max_Power]

Well, it's been tested on highways and winding roads and turned out okay. Besides there's always a steering wheel just in case

[The Spaghetti Incident?]

An artists concept for the future of Google

Not sure how I'd trust them going down the great ocean road here, but city driving sounds smooth.

[rds.06]

The car would probably be programmed to not run over cats, therefore I'm against it.

[Peaches]

Actually kind of cool. Maxy boy brought out some cool points. Converted TSI. I'd like one of these. So I wouldnt need my license.