Google Seeking Self-Driving Partnerships

According to Google, Self-Driving cars could be on the road by 2017, however, how likely is that to occur? Google introduced their small pod-like autonomous vehicles during a demonstration under the sunny skies of Mountain View, California earlier this year. The vehicles resembled the ‘Cozy Coupe’ marketed to children, however Google foresees them becoming an everyday reality for adults. That reality is a supposedly safer one. Chris Urmson, the Project Manager for the Google Self-Driving Car Project said, “Some 90% of accidents involve human error. What if we can make this go away?”

If Google wants to make the roads safer one autonomous vehicle at a time they need more self-driving cars. They have already started developing prototypes. However, Google isn’t looking to become an automaker. They are seeking partners to help them change the way people use automobiles.

On the Google+ page for the self-driving car project, Chris Urmson further explained the Google vision for self-driving cars. Urmson said, “Imagine never losing someone to a traffic accident again. Imagine a world where you get in your car, it takes you where you want to go, and then you get out. You don’t have to search for parking. You just leave it and it goes off and helps someone else get where they’re going.” This quote created speculation that Google sees vehicles as more of a communal commodity than something that individuals own.

Whatever Google’s plan may be, they don’t want to make the vehicles themselves. Urmson told the Wall Street Journal, “We don’t particularly want to become a car maker. We are talking [with] and looking for partners.” The WSJ further reported Google plans to test autonomous vehicles on public streets more extensively in 2015. Meanwhile, the government of California, Google’s home state, is still working on the regulations necessary for self-driving cars. The AP reported the state wouldn’t allow consumers to buy self-driving cars until the government has thoroughly tested them. However, reports indicate California is having trouble testing because current technology is more advanced than the testing procedures.

Do you think that your store will be selling self-driving cars within five years? Do you think that autonomous vehicles help or hinder retail automotive? Would you be willing to let a computer handle a commute at 70 mph?