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Google's Robot Cars Get Green Light to Hit the Road

Forbes -- What do you get when you give Google engineers a Prius and send them to Las Vegas? A self-driving robot car, of course!

Department of Motor Vehicles officials said Monday they’ve issued Google the nation’s first license to test self-driving cars on public streets, after conducting demonstrations on the Las Vegas Strip and in Carson City that show the car is at least as safe as human drivers (hopefully safer), the AP reports.

“It gets honked at more often because it’s being safe,” said Nevada DMV Director Bruce Breslow.

Laser radar mounted on the roof and in the grill of the Prius detects pedestrians, cyclists and other vehicles, creating a “virtual buffer zone” around the obstacles that the car then avoids.

And best of all, it’s programmed to not rubber neck.

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Submitted May 08, 2012 By: Mudsprings

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ltbombb Champion Author Ohio Posts:1,914 Points:594,695 Joined:Sep 2011	Message Posted: Jun 2, 2012 7:54:16 AM Ignore ltbombb Report Abuse I would like to see these succeed. I imagine it would be quite scary to trust your car to drive at first though.
tutaw Champion Author Kentucky Posts:3,759 Points:870,220 Joined:Sep 2008	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 4:51:51 PM Ignore tutaw Report Abuse interesting
bluebird1 Champion Author Toronto Posts:15,874 Points:3,134,850 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 12:41:19 PM Ignore bluebird1 Report Abuse THis is posted to death lately...& I thought it was Arizona that gave the green light to robo-cars!!! Guess have to avoid driving in Nevada too. And if its gets honked at a lot, then its not being safe ie. ever been behind nervous drivers, ones that can't exceed 40 mph on merge ramps to expressways, that backup on yellow lights when turning left, etc, etc. If not following flow of traffic to point of pissing off other drivers frequently then its not safe - to the other drivers!!! It doesn't matter what its accident rate is, its how many other accidents it causes.
kbierley Champion Author Dayton Posts:10,739 Points:1,417,820 Joined:Nov 2003	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 11:55:15 AM Ignore kbierley Report Abuse How many postings are there on this story?
shari128 All-Star Author Iowa Posts:573 Points:879,415 Joined:Jun 2010	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 11:07:45 AM Ignore shari128 Report Abuse Sound good. Lets try it & see what happens, It doesn't really cost n
Cheepo Champion Author Tampa Posts:9,994 Points:3,148,880 Joined:Apr 2003	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 10:29:15 AM Ignore Cheepo Report Abuse Great!!!!!!
JXQW Champion Author Kansas City Posts:2,787 Points:692,825 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 10:17:29 AM Ignore JXQW Report Abuse With unreliability of electric devices, I would not ride one of those ...
bigoilscamsus Champion Author Lansing Posts:1,058 Points:48,265 Joined:Nov 2011	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 10:16:37 AM Ignore bigoilscamsus Report Abuse Ideas for the signs for the gas price protest!!--BIG OIL SCAMS US--GAS PRICE PROTEST-- STOP PRICE FIXING--CONGRESS HELP US --PIG OIL MUST GO --US CRUDE FOR US GAS --BUILD MORE REFINERIES--GAS PRICES EQUAL HIGHWAY ROBBERY--BIG OIL IS THE MOB--BIG OIL AND THE MONEY TREE--PRICE MANIPULATION MUST STOP--BUY NO GAS TODAY--PIPELINES ARE THE PERFECT COVER UP--EXPORT PIPELINES EQUAL TAX EVASION--BIG OIL IS RACKETEERING--
MacGyver_1701 Champion Author Indiana Posts:6,975 Points:2,206,320 Joined:Feb 2005	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 10:15:43 AM Ignore MacGyver_1701 Report Abuse Is Skynet next? Sometime I think my old '76 truck with NO computer parts might be a good thing to hang on to.
LilRedWagonIN Champion Author Indiana Posts:7,912 Points:1,581,110 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 10:04:05 AM Ignore LilRedWagonIN Report Abuse What good will it do to honk at it? If you don't like Google's vehicle on the road, then T-bone it with an 18-wheeler or a Sherman tank.
BCM1 Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,879 Points:786,420 Joined:Jun 2007	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 10:04:02 AM Ignore BCM1 Report Abuse This reminds me of that movie with Arnold Schwarzenegger as a cop who is returned to the future and nobody knows how to drive anymore. This self driving car could help out seniors, handicapped, and others not able to drive. How convenient would it be to have the car take your kids to the mall for you. A company in California is working on a version of a robot that will be able to do domestic chores similar to the "Rosie the robot" in the Jetson's cartoon. This technology may be here sooner than we think. Then of course, the robots will figure out that we aren't necessary and we will have something like Battlestar Gallactica.
Sethyl Champion Author Miami Posts:1,894 Points:405,165 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 10:02:28 AM Ignore Sethyl Report Abuse Good start, but not ready for public streets yet.
BillHeatherL Champion Author Alberta Posts:7,787 Points:1,952,330 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 10:02:05 AM Ignore BillHeatherL Report Abuse i will stay driving myself
bjdorval Champion Author Quebec Posts:2,399 Points:1,162,630 Joined:Jul 2008	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 10:00:18 AM Ignore bjdorval Report Abuse Am wondering if the Google car can talk on cell phone and send text messages while driving?
truckpdlr Champion Author Tucson Posts:3,086 Points:1,123,715 Joined:Sep 2009	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 10:00:03 AM Ignore truckpdlr Report Abuse Hard to believe
pper Champion Author Grand Rapids Posts:3,224 Points:697,570 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:55:29 AM Ignore pper Report Abuse When the computer fails and the car kills someone who's responseable?
us412 Champion Author Arkansas Posts:23,029 Points:2,444,930 Joined:Apr 2006	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:55:23 AM Ignore us412 Report Abuse Will taxi fares drop? Is a union involved? Help old folks who can't see well?
edg104 Champion Author Memphis Posts:1,663 Points:388,345 Joined:Feb 2011	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:54:42 AM Ignore edg104 Report Abuse I'd rather drive myself.
k2kipp Champion Author Minnesota Posts:3,238 Points:1,148,700 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:54:09 AM Ignore k2kipp Report Abuse Maybe....
maske_2222 Champion Author Manitoba Posts:7,422 Points:1,500,005 Joined:Oct 2008	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:53:52 AM Ignore maske_2222 Report Abuse Accident waiting to happen!
knutzAL Champion Author Alabama Posts:2,248 Points:372,680 Joined:Feb 2012	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:52:54 AM Ignore knutzAL Report Abuse blackwagon.....RightO!
racerdj Champion Author Indianapolis Posts:9,945 Points:2,083,825 Joined:Jun 2003	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:52:49 AM Ignore racerdj Report Abuse I'll pass on this one but will follow the story.
goalie1950 Champion Author Phoenix Posts:6,550 Points:1,324,120 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:52:39 AM Ignore goalie1950 Report Abuse Just what the world needs: A Google robot car. NOT!!!
Jamer Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:8,902 Points:1,663,960 Joined:Jul 2002	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:52:05 AM Ignore Jamer Report Abuse I pass on this one too.
Coben All-Star Author York Posts:688 Points:290,330 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:51:55 AM Ignore Coben Report Abuse People are satisfied with self parking cars (which is for the idiots that cant paralell park) now they want self driving cars. Sorry, I like driving. All this will do is let people SLEEP. Technology is not fool proof...
lonewolfhead Champion Author Texas Posts:1,688 Points:585,980 Joined:Aug 2011	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:51:31 AM Ignore lonewolfhead Report Abuse ok
techque Champion Author St. Louis Posts:8,795 Points:2,444,630 Joined:Apr 2005	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:51:17 AM Ignore techque Report Abuse oh, there's so many google gags here, one knows not where to start.
JoeKR Champion Author New Jersey Posts:9,609 Points:1,761,815 Joined:Feb 2006	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:50:27 AM Ignore JoeKR Report Abuse "What do you get when you give Google engineers a Prius and send them to Las Vegas?" A gamble?
LVNV6ofSpades Champion Author Las Vegas Posts:1,624 Points:362,360 Joined:Apr 2008	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:50:19 AM Ignore LVNV6ofSpades Report Abuse As a Vegas resident, I will remember to stay off the sidewalks when these stupid cars are on the roads & crash. I give it 1 week before someone is killed.
afghaned Champion Author Hamilton Posts:11,983 Points:1,313,835 Joined:May 2004	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:50:03 AM Ignore afghaned Report Abuse Home James. We can cut down on the politicos chauffers with this type of technology.
mickealo Champion Author Spokane Posts:6,302 Points:2,172,135 Joined:Oct 2006	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:49:31 AM Ignore mickealo Report Abuse not for me no thanks
esquared Champion Author Oklahoma City Posts:8,202 Points:1,996,835 Joined:Jan 2006	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:48:38 AM Ignore esquared Report Abuse Let me know where they are so I can avoid the area....
Black Wagon Champion Author Illinois Posts:7,452 Points:1,829,720 Joined:Mar 2004	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:48:27 AM Ignore Black Wagon Report Abuse Some people just have too much money and time on their hands.
straz Champion Author Pennsylvania Posts:1,708 Points:540,385 Joined:Jan 2007	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:47:21 AM Ignore straz Report Abuse A step in the right direction for the future
olebufnav Champion Author Omaha Posts:4,127 Points:1,050,705 Joined:Nov 2008	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:46:29 AM Ignore olebufnav Report Abuse Driving according to the law will never work on the Vegas Strip. Bet it gets rear ended because it actually stopped when a light turned red.
PathTrack Champion Author Twin Cities Posts:1,204 Points:135,055 Joined:Jan 2005	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:46:16 AM Ignore PathTrack Report Abuse Could be great for public transportation, but I like to drive myself without any assistance.
bojiway1 Champion Author Minnesota Posts:2,185 Points:506,410 Joined:Dec 2011	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:44:50 AM Ignore bojiway1 Report Abuse ok
kulwicki7 All-Star Author Virginia Posts:638 Points:269,295 Joined:Sep 2005	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:43:36 AM Ignore kulwicki7 Report Abuse ok
Penny_Pincher Veteran Author Columbus Posts:435 Points:22,695 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:43:11 AM Ignore Penny_Pincher Report Abuse I bet it goes the speed limit, which no one will tolerate.
Michaels2011 Champion Author Florida Posts:2,141 Points:106,005 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:42:41 AM Ignore Michaels2011 Report Abuse not for me.
JWHITE1937 Champion Author Massachusetts Posts:2,667 Points:1,024,705 Joined:Aug 2006	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:42:03 AM Ignore JWHITE1937 Report Abuse GREAT, love the idea, long time coming.
CapriceWagon Champion Author Washington Posts:1,009 Points:503,620 Joined:Feb 2008	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:41:11 AM Ignore CapriceWagon Report Abuse As long as they're all in piuses I'll be able to win, I'd never buy one
ntass1 Champion Author Edmonton Posts:3,935 Points:755,725 Joined:May 2011	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:40:37 AM Ignore ntass1 Report Abuse ok
mattymattmatt All-Star Author Scranton Posts:905 Points:386,935 Joined:Mar 2011	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:40:32 AM Ignore mattymattmatt Report Abuse Herp Derp.
mitchells Champion Author Montreal Posts:3,971 Points:1,149,960 Joined:Oct 2009	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:39:30 AM Ignore mitchells Report Abuse What happens when the car see's a sexy convertible with it's top down in the next lane. Wanna bet it's not going to rubberneck?
pricechecker08 Champion Author Ohio Posts:8,016 Points:1,728,400 Joined:Jan 2008	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:39:27 AM Ignore pricechecker08 Report Abuse ok
bigsranch Champion Author Houston Posts:3,287 Points:1,033,180 Joined:Apr 2007	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:39:10 AM Ignore bigsranch Report Abuse What could possibly go wrong with this idea?
Bubba44612 Champion Author Ohio Posts:7,531 Points:1,904,385 Joined:Aug 2005	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:38:10 AM Ignore Bubba44612 Report Abuse But give it bad gas and watch it get pulled over and given a ticket.
Dailyrun Champion Author Kentucky Posts:2,122 Points:416,090 Joined:Apr 2012	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:37:34 AM Ignore Dailyrun Report Abuse Part of this project might make cars safer on the road.
MBAcura Champion Author Orlando Posts:2,385 Points:690,490 Joined:Apr 2011	Message Posted: May 8, 2012 9:37:01 AM Ignore MBAcura Report Abuse Next someone will claim to have been blinded by the lasers.