Google: Self-propelled cars safe in traffic – 99mac

Google is continuing its testing of self-driving cars, and respond to criticism that the cars involved in the accident.

In September last year the state of California began issuing permits for companies to test self-driving cars. Whole rolls now nearly 50 self-driving cars on public roads, and according to the Associated Press, four of those involved in road accidents. Of these, four belonging to three of Google, which is the company that has most test vehicles out there.

According to the newspaper occurred two accidents during the time the vehicles were running automatically, and two while the driver steered the car. According to the rules, a driver always be behind the wheel even when the car steers itself.

Chris Urmson leads Google’s car project, and has now written a blog post in response to the article. According to him, one of the main goals of self-driving cars to make roads safer – in the United States die approximately 33 000 people every year due to traffic accidents. He also stresses that in 94 percent of all accidents, it depends on the driver.

Urmson writes that over half of all accidents that occur on the roads are minor incidents that do not lead to personal injury, and that these are not reported to the police. The only way to get a good picture of what is happening on the roads is to drive, and that Google has made, says Urmson. He writes:

“If you spend enough time on the road, accidents will happen, whether you are in a car or in a self-driving car. Since we started our project six years ago, we have been involved in 11 minor accidents (light material damage, no injuries), over about 273,000 miles automatic and manual operation, and not once was the self-driving car cause accident. “

While Volvo is investing

The test of self-driving cars is also underway in the states of Nevada, Michigan and Florida, but there has so far been no accidents reported. In Sweden also plans Volvo test run of 100 driverless vehicles in Gothenburg in 2017.

Volvo will test drive the 100 self-driving cars in Gothenburg.

The project is called Driveme and is a joint initiative by the Volvo Car Group, Trafikverket, the Swedish Transport Agency, Lindholmen Science Park and Gothenburg City. Real customers will use the vehicles.