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The headline is a bit misleading, it looks like Google is not going to manufacture self driving cars, but will develop self-driving technology. I'm not sure how this is a surprise.
Well, maybe because they built prototype cars and used them in their PR?
It's fascinating to see Google and (purportedly) Apple move in a similar direction away from developing their own actual cars and instead building the software platform. It makes a lot of sense for Google, who have always struggled with selling products direct to consumers. It is more surprising for Apple, but makes sense if you look at how they can add the most value. I'm looking forward to seeing how this plays out…
>> Are cars going to be (even more) commoditised Self driving cars as a service are much better deal for the consumer. And they'll be more commoditized[1], same as taxis are, from the consumer perspective. On the other hand, building the car with the highest reliability , and the lowest cost of operation , is a hard challenge. But: if electric cars are going to win, cars may become mostly batteries on wheels, so a lo…
But they are working with other car makers. Regardless, Google kick-started a lot of other car makers to start developing self-driving cars or made it OK for other car makers to be more public about their efforts. Similarly to Tesla in pushing EV's in other car makers.
Which tells me there's something fundamentally wrong with the automotive (for these specific examples, but there are others) industry. Edit: typo.
The headline is a bit misleading, it looks like Google is not going to manufacture self driving cars, but will develop self-driving technology. I'm not sure how this is a surprise.
Well, maybe because they built prototype cars and used them in their PR?
Google has been pursuing partnerships with car makers for years, so I'm not sure what part of this report from The Information even counts as news.
Google will presumably announce formally their strategy for spinning Chauffeur off into an independent, revenue generating Alphabet subsidiary in just a few hours, sometime later this morning.
Slightly off-topic, but: > While Google may be taking its pedal off the gas for self-driving vehicles Is it considered OK to include obvious puns like that in a seemingly serious publication?
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It would be different if they already had an attractive car on the road, but they haven't. Just look at how much time and money it takes for Tesla to create a profitable vehicle for the masses. The R&D costs for autonomous driving are small in comparison. If comma.ai can (sort of) create an autonomous vehicle with just a couple of employees and Tesla can go fully autonomous with a sensor suite that's 5% of the cost o…
A company like Google has the scale and experience to create a regulatory landscape in which a car even 10% less safe will be forbidden on public roads. They might even look good doing it. As geohot discovered, cars are sold to consumers only after they are sold to regulators. Tesla understands this, but if someone else builds a safer car, incumbents' experience may be rendered academic.
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>> Are cars going to be (even more) commoditised Self driving cars as a service are much better deal for the consumer. And they'll be more commoditized[1], same as taxis are, from the consumer perspective. On the other hand, building the car with the highest reliability , and the lowest cost of operation , is a hard challenge. But: if electric cars are going to win, cars may become mostly batteries on wheels, so a lo…
Sharing isn't viable. I don't want my 20 minute taxi/CaaS ride to become 30+ minutes as we drive off my route to pick up another rider (and wait for them to come downstairs, pick their way across the slush, close their umbrella, and FINALLY get in the god damn cab)
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This may be a level of service you expect, but isn't something traditionally handled by the manufacturers.
It's handled by the ecosystem the manufacturers created though, and the manufacturers play a very prominent role in maintaining that ecosystem.
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I think he does. We must let go delusional thinking that with current AI we can safely throw autonomous car in a dense urban area. Using autonomous car to improve mobility in rural area (eg. for elders people) would prove much more applicable as a paid service and complemental to public transportation. But if mainstream geeks and investors keep dreaming about K2000 they will be deceived by current AI.
> We must let go delusional thinking that with current AI we can safely throw autonomous car in a dense urban area. Given the capability which Tesla currently demonstrates, it seems extreme to call the idea of full autonomy with current AI technologies delusional. With their current progress, full autonomy in production seems reasonable within a few years. https://vimeo.com/192179727
As for capability and reasonable aspect, I will be much more interested in reading post-mortem reports of the fatal crash under a truck by road safety organizations when (and if) they come out...