[blindlaw] Google's driverless car

Daniel McBride dlmlaw at sbcglobal.net
Wed Apr 10 01:59:04 UTC 2013


A couple of things about the driverless car.  First, as is always the case
with scientific and technological advancements, the motivation is profit and
its initial applications are for use by the military industrial complex.

 

Google's driverless car originated through DARPA, the Defense Advanced
Research Project Agency in 2005.  It doesn't take much to realize that the
initial use for this technology will not be for average citizens.  Rather,
it will be used for robotic tanks, armored vehicles and other military
vehicles.  In essence, it will be used to develop drones that drive through
the streets rather than flying overhead.

 

Second is the cost if, and when, it becomes available to the citizen
consumer.  At a scientific seminar this past January, one of the Google car
engineers spoke of "releasing the technology" to auto manufacturers within
the next five years.  Currently, however, the modifications to make a car
driverless are at a cost of $150,000 per unit.  This would make the cost of
such car close to $200,000.

 

So, the initial cost of these cars will be prohibitive for the average
consumer.

 

I have no doubt the day is coming that driverless cars will be as common as
hybrids are today.  However, at 57 years old, I do not foresee it in my
lifetime.  On the other hand, I do anticipate robotic, driverless military
vehicles to be with us in the near future, as that is the foremost reason
for development of the technology.

 

I for one, do not have a budget that will allow $200,000 for a car.  

 

Dan McBride 




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