Why Google Made Its Self-Driving Car So Darn Cute

#1

Post by sunilkumarc » Wed, May 28, 2014, 9:11 AM UTC

Why Google Made Its Self-Driving Car So Darn Cute
techcrunch.com

Re: Why Google Made Its Self-Driving Car So Darn Cute

#2

Post by Joeboy » Wed, May 28, 2014, 9:45 AM UTC

I can't get beyond the second slide. Possibly because

> TypeError: a.adsReloadAd is not a function

Edit: Oh, I can if I turn adBlock off.

Re: Why Google Made Its Self-Driving Car So Darn Cute

#3

Post by Mithaldu » Wed, May 28, 2014, 9:56 AM UTC

Joeboy wrote: post #2

I can't get beyond the second slide. Possibly because > TypeError: a.adsReloadAd is not a function Edit: Oh, I can if I turn adBlock off.

If you click on the list button in the top right you get a much superior reading format. :)

Re: Why Google Made Its Self-Driving Car So Darn Cute

#4

Post by waterlesscloud » Wed, May 28, 2014, 9:58 AM UTC

Nice catch about the shape minimizing blind spots for the roof-mounted lasers.

Re: Why Google Made Its Self-Driving Car So Darn Cute

#5

Post by higherpurpose » Wed, May 28, 2014, 10:01 AM UTC

Joeboy wrote: post #2

I can't get beyond the second slide. Possibly because > TypeError: a.adsReloadAd is not a function Edit: Oh, I can if I turn adBlock off.

You can also press that button to see them as a top-down list.

Re: Why Google Made Its Self-Driving Car So Darn Cute

#6

Post by akumen » Wed, May 28, 2014, 10:18 AM UTC

Cute? Personally, I think it is fugly.

Re: Why Google Made Its Self-Driving Car So Darn Cute

#7

Post by smanuel » Wed, May 28, 2014, 10:23 AM UTC

> The cute design minimizes fear about the risks of self-driving vehicles

I'm sorry but no cute design can repair the damage done by this episode of Silicon Valley: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-eAONrlcfJg

Sorry Mr. Car

Re: Why Google Made Its Self-Driving Car So Darn Cute

#8

Post by jacquesm » Wed, May 28, 2014, 10:27 AM UTC

What is the ANCAP rating for these? Cute they might be but they look to be quite flimsy in construction. Maybe that's one of the reasons why they are so slow, not just to avoid the risks of high speed impact but also so that they don't have to be tested right alongside the output of the rest of the automobile industry. That gives google time to perfect the software in a real world traffic without all the costs and competition with regular car manufacturers.

It is reminiscent of the Aixam line (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Aixam) of microcars.

Re: Why Google Made Its Self-Driving Car So Darn Cute

#9

Post by [deleted] » Wed, May 28, 2014, 10:28 AM UTC

[deleted]

Re: Why Google Made Its Self-Driving Car So Darn Cute

#10

Post by cliveowen » Wed, May 28, 2014, 10:29 AM UTC

akumen wrote: post #6

Cute? Personally, I think it is fugly.

Agreed, and that enormous thing on the roof just shouldn't be there. "Google plans to build 100 to 200 of these prototypes, and work towards safety approval by the end of the year. The future’s coming a lot faster than we thought."

If this is the future I hope there will be time travel, so I can go back.