Nevada May Become First State to Permit Self Driving Cars

Cars may not be ready to fly, but some vehicles may soon be of the self-driving variety. And, one state, Nevada, may soon allow the first of the self-driving vehicles to take to our roads, if Google has its way. Nevada, the nearest state to Google's California headquarters is a natural choice, given the state's wide open roads and much lower population density.

Google's Push

The Internet giant has its hands in a number of baskets including one where self-driving cars are not only being tested, but successfully deployed. Up to now, a professional driver has always been behind the wheel of these cars, but Google is pushing for Nevada to become the first state in the nation to allow for driverless cars. If Google's appeal to state legislators is positively received and the governor signs on, then so-called autonomous cars may begin to roll out.

Driverless cars sound positively scary to some people, but these vehicles are specially equipped to drive without someone behind the wheel. Google and other companies have been working on developing the technology which, if implemented, would allow people to tend to other tasks while their cars head down the road. This might prove advantageous for the driver who needs to drive long distances at night and would prefer to get some shut-eye instead of trying to stay awake all night. Skip the hotel room and set your car to travel the next seven or eight hours on a full tank of gas. No, your ride won't be able to top off at the gas station while you're asleep, but it'll let you get some rest while moving you down the highway.

Sensor Detection

Autonomous cars work by making use of sensors, cameras and laser range finders. The project is in cooperation with artificial intelligence researchers at Stanford University, located near Google headquarters. Robotic vehicles have the ability to reduce road accidents and deaths, while improving energy efficiency. That, along with a car sharing system, could reduce the number of cars on America's roads, perhaps by one-half. Under one scenario, you might be able to call for a rental car to come to your home -- driverless, of course -- and take you where you want to go.

According to The New York Times, Google has tested autonomous vehicles for more than 140,000 miles on crowded California highways. These vehicles weren't without a driver present, rather the driver sat behind the wheel of the car and let the car do the driving itself. A second person has always sat in the front passenger seat, taking notes and monitoring progress.

Nevada's Move

Nevada may take up Google's proposal as soon as June 2011. Google has hired a lobbyist to make the case to the state's legislator who will have to look at the possibility of setting precedent and paving the way for autonomous cars elsewhere in the United States.

Source: http://ezinearticles.com/6260688

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