Google's Driverless Cars Right Around The Corner? Chairman Eric Schmidt Says Yes

Imagine a future where you can settle back with a nice mug of coffee during your commute while your car navigates on its own.

According to Google Executive Chairman Eric Schmidt, such a future is practically here.

The Associated Press reports that during Schmidt's keynote on Tuesday at the World Mobile Congress in Barcelona, Spain, the former CEO said, "People who predict that holograms and self-driving cars will become reality soon are absolutely right."

“Driverless cars are a lot closer than you think," he went on to say, per AllThingsD's live blog of the talk.

Some U.S. states are already preparing for the presence of these futuristic vehicles. Nevada recently became the first to approve requirement regulations for autonomous cars.

In addition, a number of other organisations, including the Free University of Berlin (Germany), Volvo, BMW and Google itself, are at the forefront of the innovations behind so-called self-driving cars.

The company first revealed that it had developed autonomous vehicles in an October 2009 blog post, writing, "Our automated cars, manned by trained operators, just drove from our Mountain View campus to our Santa Monica office and on to Hollywood Boulevard."

The company may also be looking to hire specialized employees to continue work on this project. Business Insider pointed out on Monday that in the last few weeks, the company posted several open positions on its local "Jobs" listing page: Automotive System Test Engineer, System Test Engineer for Special Projects and Industrial Designer for Special Projects, among others. While none of the listings' descriptions explicitly mention driverless cars, they all stress the need for automotive engineering skills.

And these aren't the only cool jobs opening up at Google. On Monday, Wired reported that the company was looking for augmented-reality experts to work on "Terminator"-style augmented reality glasses, which the company is rumored working on. Wired points out that Google doesn't state that these positions are related to the glasses, but that the ads list "augmented reality mapping, geo-location and real time interaction" as top priorities.

Familiarity with augmented-reality mapping is only the first hurdle applicants for these positions will need to clear. Google has a notoriously tough hiring process in which, according to a study by job and career review site Glassdoor.com, applicants are asked questions like, "How many people are using Facebook in San Francisco at 2:30pm on a Friday?" and "A man pushed his car to a hotel and lost his fortune. What happened?" (Visit The Wall Street Journal, for more brain-buster Google interview questions and answers.)

Check out some of Google's other most experimental projects (below).

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• Gmail (2004)

  The now-ubiquitous Gmail -- Google's email product -- was unlike any previous email service when it was introduced <a href="http://googlepress.blogspot.com/2004/04/google-gets-message-launches-gmail.html" target="_hplink">in 2004</a>. It featured way more storage space (1 GB per user), search capability within your email, and conversion view, which groups together all replies to the original message to keep the conversation in a single thread. It also included a built-in chat service. <em>CORRECTION</em>: An earlier version of this slide stated the Gmail was launched in 2007. It was actually launched in 2004.

• Google Mars (2006)

  Google worked with NASA researchers to create a detailed, digital map of the planet Mars. <a href="http://www.google.com/mars/" target="_hplink">Google Mars</a> works similarly to Google Earth -- except you're navigating around a far-off planet. Users can explore regions, mountains, plains, canyons, craters and other elements.

• Google Sky (2007)

  <a href="http://www.google.com/sky/" target="_hplink">Google Sky,</a> the outer space version of Google Earth, is a way to explore the sky from your computer or mobile device. Click the Sky button on the Google Earth toolbar and you can see constellations, the moon, the planets, and user guides giving information on each. And, of course, there's a search bar to locate whatever part of the sky you're looking for. If you're unfamiliar, <a href="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gX9MeF2Au9c&feature=player_embedded#!" target="_hplink">this YouTube video</a> gives a good guide.

• Google Reader (2007)

  <a href="www.google.com/reader" target="_hplink">Google Reader</a> is a web-based news aggregator. It utilizes RSS feeds and included sharing capability until October, 2011, when this feature was <a href="http://www.theatlanticwire.com/technology/2011/10/how-survive-switch-google-reader-google/44069/" target="_hplink">disabled and replaced</a> with a Google+ button.

• Google Moderator (2008)

  <a href="https://www.google.com/moderator/" target="_hplink">Google Moderator</a> ranks user-submitted questions that come in during an online discussion. It was first created to help moderate the company's tech talks, and was later used by President Barack Obama's team to sift through Americans' questions for the newly elected president. It works like this: Participants can submit questions or ideas, and other participants vote on them. This crowdsourcing technique helps identify the questions and ideas with the most support or interest from the group.

• Google Body (2010)

  Google Body allowed users to navigate through 3D anatomical models of the human body. Google Body ceased operation in Oct. 2011 -- when Google Labs shut down -- and will relaunch as Zygote Body. <a href="http://www.zygotebody.com/" target="_hplink">Zygote Body</a> will be a searchable, interactive 3D model of human anatomy. Check out this video for a look at the former Google Body.

• Google Docs (2010)

  <a href="docs.google.com" target="_hplink">Google Docs,</a> a web-based office suite that includes word documents, spreadsheets and other formats, was innovative for a few reasons. One, the documents are accessible from any computer or device. Two, they're collaborative: You can share documents with coworkers or friends and read or edit them simultaneously. The docs also automatically save as you go, protecting the work from browser crashes or other accidents. Google Docs is a combination of two previous company projects: Google Spreadsheets and a web-based processor, Writely. There have been several iterations in the past five years, with the mostly completed version announced in 2010.

• Google Goggles (2011)

  <a href="http://www.google.com/mobile/goggles/#text" target="_hplink">Google Goggles</a> is on the cutting-edge of visual search. The product enables users to search with images instead of words -- basically you take a picture of something, and Google will recognize it and pull up search results on it. <a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/12/07/google-goggles-search-by-_n_382871.html" target="_hplink">See a demonstration here</a>.

• Google X (2011)

  A November <a href="http://www.nytimes.com/2011/11/14/technology/at-google-x-a-top-secret-lab-dreaming-up-the-future.html?_r=2&pagewanted=all" target="_hplink"> <em>New York Times</em> piece</a> gave a glimpse into Google's super-secret "Google X" lab, where the company is dreaming up innovative ideas for the future, like elevator that goes to outer space, driverless cars, and all manner of robots. In January 2012, Google announced an experimental lecture forum called "<a href="http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2012/02/06/google-unveils-solve-for-_n_1258870.html" target="_hplink">Solve For X</a>," with an aim at solving "moonshot thinking." As Google <a href="http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2012/02/whats-your-x-amplifying-technology.html" target="_hplink">explained in a blog post</a>, the project will "take on global-scale problems, define radical solutions to those problems, and involve some form of breakthrough technology that could actually make them happen."

• Chrome Experiments

  <a href="http://www.chromeexperiments.com/" target="_hplink">Chrome Experiments</a> showcases innovative, interactive and generally awesome things being built all over using JavaScript. Some personal favorites: <a href="http://www.chromeexperiments.com/detail/ocean-simulation/?f=" target="_hplink">Ocean Simulation</a> and <a href="http://www.chromeexperiments.com/detail/webgl-globe/" target="_hplink">WebGL Globe</a>.

Comments

[StewII]

05:06 PM on 03/03/2012

Good step "Toward Zero Fatalities" on the road.

[Angelus2007]

08:02 PM on 03/01/2012

Do the people who write these headlines understand the english language? The headline said "Driverless Cars Might (Literally) Be Right Around The Corner". Literally? Really? Don't use literally, unless literally is supposed to be used. In this case "Around the corner" is an idiom, not a literal expression.

[Dr Juan]

08:18 AM on 03/01/2012

Taxi driver unions will never allow it. And who gets the ticket when cars inevitably collide. And who pays damages for any injuries and deaths? Is Goggle going to step up and say "we cover it all." Or will insurance companies end up suing Google for damages. There is no way this thing can be perfect and work flawlessly 100% of the time.

But I imagine this could be a field day for hackers creating mega-pile-ups in NYC and DC just for fun.

[MyTake]

10:37 PM on 02/29/2012

This is GREAT!

I could sit in the back seat of the car and have Kreepy Eric holographed into the driver's seat and ask him questions on his House of Bilderberg membership, his CIA involvement and why he is feeding ALL of the Google Server data directly into those massive NSA data farms!

[Dr Juan]

08:22 AM on 03/01/2012

True, but you could also safely travel with your orgasmotron.

[jsladder]

06:32 PM on 02/29/2012

My grandmother invented the driverless car in 1982.

[wilsonty]

02:37 PM on 02/29/2012

If all cars were driverless on highways/cities ('human-driven' only in certain low-speed circumstances), think about this:
-16,000 people/year saved from drunk-driving-related deaths
-Car thieves would go out of business!
-Drastic reduction in auto insurance, since it would only be needed for 'acts of God'-type accidents
-Hardly any more trips to the garage for enigine problems; in fact, barely any maintenance beyond oil changes/fluid levels would be needed, since you wouldn't be able to 'abuse' your car
-90% of "Body Shops" would become "Customization Shops", whose services you use only because you WANT to, instead of NEED to
-An end to traffic jams
-ALL trips would be faster, owing to the fact that by coordinating all cars,
-No need for traffic lights/traffic signs to regulate traffic flow, so (in all likelihood) ZERO (necessary) stops between departure/arrival
-Lowered dependance on OIL? Current-gen cars' gas mileage would go up considerably, while new cars using engines built w/ this in mind would probably get at least twice the mileage we're currently used to
-Since all vehicles would travel at (relatively, compared to now) constant speeds, less wear and tear on our highways/roads=lower state/federal highway budgets
-I think states could cut State Troopers out of their budgets (??)

I could go on, but I think you get my drift.

[planetjeffy]

03:58 AM on 03/01/2012

"The More You Drive, The Less Intelligent You Are". --Repo Man

fan #1

[JScott]

01:53 PM on 02/29/2012

This from a corporate executive, watch this NOT COME SOON!!!!!!!!!!

We were supposed to have flying cars (a la Jetson's) by now.

[KarmaPatrol]

11:30 AM on 02/29/2012

With texting behind the wheel, we in the US already have driverless cars on the road.

[Luis Soto]

11:14 AM on 02/29/2012

of course robots are replacing us in fields of work and war, much faster that we humans believe. Moreover it is not an existential question we are allowed to discuss 'seriously'. Death is never discussed 'seriously'.
www.economicstruth.com

[KarmaPatrol]

11:32 AM on 02/29/2012

Makes you wonder what humans will do after automation takes over, doesn't it? I plan to re-brand myself as a def-jam poet...

[littlenietzsche]

01:36 PM on 02/29/2012

That is an interesting concept, as more and more mundane jobs are replaced by automation what do people do?

[DarenTx]

11:13 AM on 02/29/2012

Driverless cars can't arrive fast enough. I doubt I can afford to be first in line but I won't be far off.

[Conk]

09:52 AM on 02/29/2012

NO THANKS!!!

[littlenietzsche]

01:29 PM on 02/29/2012

Are you scared of the specter of driverless cars? Keep this in mind, about 1% of the US population is injured each year in an automobile accident ... all of those accidents were caused by someone who was driving.

[HellBank]

09:10 AM on 02/29/2012

I just know that somehow this is going to include a new monthly fee service.

[JScott]

01:56 PM on 02/29/2012

and paid to Google.

[HellBank]

09:07 AM on 02/29/2012

Today: Insert key, start car, drive. Tomorrow: Insert key, wait 15 minutes for car to boot up, drive.

[JScott]

01:59 PM on 02/29/2012

On some cars (like Nissan Altima Coupe) you insert the key and press a button, they make simple things complicated, yup leave it to engineers and not human factors designers to design (stupid) auto accessories ike early I-drive BMW's or just about any sat nav device.
If they do the driverless thingy, they'll be lotsa accidents and mad car owners.

[drp103]

08:54 AM on 02/29/2012

Will auto insurance rates for certain groups drop accordingly if lives are saved, i.e. teens?

Will people who've had a little too much to drink still be considered a danger even if the data says they are not, thus allowing states to keep DUI laws operable as a means of income?

What does MADD have to say about this new technology?

Will the speed limit be increased if deemed safe enough? or will states keep it low in order to still hand out speeding tickets as a means of income?

[Johnangry]

10:18 AM on 02/29/2012

You miss the point of auto insurance. Taking care of peril is what they promise, but they'll avoid fulfilling their promise at any point.

And charging higher for certain people is only an excuse, people just buy into it and pay. As long as you buy into a lie, the liar will continue lying.

[MonsieurRochard]

06:40 PM on 07/22/2012

You miss the point of auto insurance: it's for driver liability. The software is the driver. Google is liable. Google will have to insure itself, like any business that sells a product or service. People won't have to pay auto insurance premiums anymore.

[J0E1]

11:03 AM on 02/29/2012

In theory, a cop can only pull over a car for breaking the law.  They determine that you are drunk after the fact.

Of course, cops abuse these all of the time.  "following too close" or "changing lanes without a signal" are common BS charges a cop makes up because they cannot possibly be fought in court.  It would be interesting to see how they respond to vehicles that automatically follow the law and drive perfectly. 

My guess:  Like Nevada, other states will ban drunk driving even with fully autonomous vehicles.  In order to keep up the revenue stream from DUI busts, local police will ramp up checkpoints which are "legal" ways to nab drivers who have done absolutely nothing illegal.

[Barbarian At The Gate]

08:30 AM on 02/29/2012

I can imagine a driver less car just like Dean Kamen imagined and created the Segway. Dean Kamen also imagined the Segway taking the place of walking and bicycling, which it didn't. I can't imagine driverless cars any time in the near future. Unless the technology is perfect there could be more traffic accidents. If there is a traffic accident, and the car was driving itself, who gets sued? The manufacturer of the car, the manufacturer of the software, the owner of the car?

[planetjeffy]

04:00 AM on 03/01/2012

accidents will fall 99%, so will your insurance...but you will have insurance for when it happens

[Barbarian At The Gate]

09:14 AM on 03/01/2012

That's being very optimistic. I can understand the optimism. Watching computerized robots at work in a manufacturing facility is amazing considering there are very little flaws and the robots never get tired.

Even if a self-driven car came out tomorrow I don't know if it will be ready for the road since you would have to put it in the mix with normal cars in everyday driving conditions. Using my example of the Segway, the product was created to replace walking yet many municipalities do not allow them on sidewalks.