Google to Let Self-Driving Cars Out on California's Highways

[engine]

Here it goes, Google's self-driving vehicles are set to drive on California roads this summer.

Now we’re announcing the next step for our project: this summer, a few of the prototype vehicles we’ve created will leave the test track and hit the familiar roads of Mountain View, Calif., with our safety drivers aboard. Google to Let Self-Driving Cars Out on California's Highways [googleblog.blogspot.com]

Each prototype’s speed is capped at a neighborhood-friendly 25mph, and during this next phase of our project we’ll have safety drivers aboard with a removable steering wheel, accelerator pedal, and brake pedal that allow them to take over driving if needed.

earlier story

Four Self-Driving Cars Involved In Accidents [webmasterworld.com]

[superclown2]

How many accidents occur at such a slow speed that someone can fit a steering wheel and then take over the driving? I hope these guys have fast reflexes.

[Samizdata]

I hope these guys have fast reflexes

I would imagine that the "removable steering wheel, accelerator pedal, and brake pedal" would be fitted before the vehicle is sent out on the public highway (similar to the dual control systems used by driving instructors).

They would only be removed after testing is complete.

...

[Robert Charlton]

Each prototype’s speed is capped at a neighborhood-friendly 25mph

And there's the rub...

But the most impatient drivers caught behind these vehicles might find them a little smug.

They’ll be unfazed by your honks, of course, because these cars know the rules of the road and the intimate geography of Mountain View better than you do. They linger cautiously before crossing intersections, slow down near elementary schools, are deferential to bicyclists and baby strollers and never go faster than 25 miles per hour.

What it’s like to ride Google’s jittery new robot car [siliconbeat.com]

A lot of Californians, I observe daily, take pride in accelerating to beat you to the next red light. I think that 25mph is going to drive them stark raving mad. ;)