Google creates a division dedicated to its autonomous cars – The argus

A blind man, Steve Mahan, made the trip alone on a Google Car in the suburbs of Austin, Texas..

The division autonomous vehicles from Google will be driving all alone. In effect, the group Alphabet (parent company Google), will give independence to its division in charge of developing the autonomous cars.

All the projects of this unit will now be housed in a new entity named Waymo.

“This is a sign that the technology is mature,”, ” says John Krafick, the boss of Waymo, who was previously responsible of the project of the technology developed autonomous for about seven years by Google. We can imagine that our technology for autonomous vehicles can be used in passenger vehicles, car-sharing and public transport. It could soon be marketed”.

Waymo, whose cars are in testing now to accumulate the most miles possible and recognize the various obstacles, now wants to move to the next step: the use of autonomous cars to accompany people in their daily lives (make purchases or go to work). the

A blind man has successfully tested an autonomous car

In this perspective and to convince the skeptics, the group said to have made, a test in traffic conditions real with a blind man.

This last, Steve Mahan, made the trip alone on a Google Car in the suburbs of Austin, Texas.

“The sensors fitted to the car and the software were its driver”, says Waymo, who adds that its autonomous cars can now detect emergency vehicles (ambulances, police, fire…), dealing with different types of pavements and traffic lights and anticipate the unpredictable reactions of human beings on the road.

“The routes that it has borrowed reflect what millions of people would do with the car autonomous in their daily lives: visit a park or to the doctor, crossing different neighbourhoods”, concludes Waymo.