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Google Builds Self-Driving CarSACRAMENTO, Mar 02, 2012 (KTXL-TV - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- Self-driving cars sound like an invention from the future, but the future is now. Developers at Google have built an autonomous vehicle that works. "It knows where the lanes are, where the stop signs are, what the light color is," explained Google product manager Anthony Levandowski. "It never gets distracted. It never gets drunk." The car was on display Thursday morning outside the Capitol. Levandowski was there along with Sen. Alex Padilla (D-Pacoima) to introduce Senate Bill 1298 and help get the self-driving cars on the road. Padilla explained that bill would direct the CHP to come up with guidelines for the safe testing and operation of autonomous vehicles in California. However, Levandowski said they've already put the technology to the test. "We've driven a couple hundred thousand miles," he said, "From San Francisco to Los Angeles on Highway 1. We've driven down the crookedest (sic) streets; Lombard street." Aside from being a cool concept there is a practical reason Padilla wants the legislation passed; it could save lives. "More than 30,000 people die in traffic fatalities in the country every year," Padilla explained. "If technology exists that can make our cars and our roads safer then we're compelled to pursue that." Google equipped the vehicle laser scanners, cameras, radar and some computers to process the information. Levandowski added the computers react about 15 times faster than human drivers. "Nothing is going to catch this car by surprise," said Padilla, "It's going to see hundreds of feet in all directions. [You're] not going to have a pedestrian 'Come out of nowhere' or the ball coming to the middle of the street. This car senses a lot." Padilla found that out when he took a "test-ride" in the vehicle. "Not only was the vehicle able to detect the car in front of me, behind me, to the left and right, but three cars ahead, three cars behind." The car has about $200,000 worth of technology on it, but Levandowski estimates the price would come down once the vehicle becomes mass produced. If the legislation passes, Padilla hopes self-driving vehicles would be on the road in 2020. ___ (c)2012 KTXL-TV (Sacramento, Calif.) Visit KTXL-TV (Sacramento, Calif.) at www.fox40.com Distributed by MCT Information Services |