Driverless cars

I am amazed that so little people know that since 2010 Google has had a fleet of autonomous vehicles that they have been testing. However, I am sure that in just a few short years it will be common knowledge. As of August 2012 the fleet has driven more the 480,000 kms (300,000 Miles) autonomously accident-free.

In August 2011, while being human-controlled Google's driverless car was involved in the project's first crash near the Google headquarters in Mountain View, CA. A second incident involved a Google driverless car being rear-ended while stopped at a stoplight.

This first video shows the specially modified Toyota Prius in action.

Three states in the USA have now passed laws to allow driverless vehicles on their roads. However, a person must be sitting in the drivers seat in the event that manual driving is required. On March 1, 2012 Nevada was the first to pass the law in a move to try and encourage new business growth through the testing of this new technology. Florida was next in line and most recently Google’s home state of California. The next state preparing to pass a similar law is DC.

In this next video you get a more detailed look at the systems and mechanics that operate behind the scenes while the car is in motion.

It is predicted that by 2040, 75% of vehicles on the road in the USA will be autonomous. So tell me, "Would you buy one?" Leave your comments or creative responses below.