[nfbwatlk] google gets license

[Becky Frankeberger]

Google gets Nevada driving licence for self-drive car

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-17989553

Google gets Nevada driving licence for self-drive car
 Google has been experimenting with driverless Toyota Prius cars in the US 
Driverless cars will soon be a reality on the roads of Nevada after the
state approved America's first self-driven vehicle licence.
The first to hit the highway will be a Toyota Prius modified by search firm
Google, which is leading the way in driverless car technology.
Its first drive included a spin down Las Vegas's famous strip.
Other car companies are also seeking self-driven car licences in Nevada.
Accident 
The car uses video cameras mounted on the roof, radar sensors and a laser
range finder to "see" other traffic.
Engineers at Google have previously tested the car on the streets of
California, including crossing San Francisco's Golden Gate bridge.
For those tests, the car remained manned at all times by a trained driver
ready to take control if the software failed.
According to software engineer Sebastian Thrun, the car has covered 140,000
miles with no accidents, other than a bump at traffic lights from a car
behind.
Human error 
Bruce Breslow, director of Nevada's Department of Motor Vehicles, says he
believes driverless vehicles are the "cars of the future".
Nevada changed its laws to allow self-driven cars in March. The long-term
plan is to license members of the public to drive such cars.
Google's car has been issued with a red licence plate to make it
recognisable. The plate features an infinity sign next to the number 001.
Other states, including California, are planning similar changes.
"The vast majority of vehicle accidents are due to human error," said
California state Senator Alex Padilla, when he introduced the legislation.
"Through the use of computers, sensors and other systems, an autonomous
vehicle is capable of analysing the driving environment more quickly and
operating the vehicle more safely."
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Becky Frankeberger
Butterfly Knitting

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