Google's Self Driving Prius Takes on Autocross Course [Videos]
In Google’s continued search for worldwide domination, they have been working on an autonomous Toyota Prius that made quite the headlines last year.
The software development company has gone from search engine success to smartphone success to now proving that they too can push the envelope on technology in general. Having already impacted daily lives with their tools, it’ll be no surprise if Google is the first one to successfully market a self-driving vehicle to the world.
Having logged over 140,000 miles on California’s public roads, Google decided it was time to prove that it can do more than just drive its way through California traffic. To do so they setup a tight autocross course with cones, grabbed a few cameras and recorded the magic as it happened.
And just how far away is the technology? Well, it might not be as close to market as anticipated, but Google is certainly making strides to make the dream a reality. Currently all the miles logged were with a driver in the seat just in case, but the vehicle is fully equipped with tons of hardware from cameras to lasers and radars and GPS-equipped tools in order to navigate its surroundings safely. We certainly wouldn’t mind having the option of having a vehicle drive itself through our daily routines, but at the end of the day we’re automotive enthusiasts because we enjoy the thrill of driving.
Check out the videos after the jump.
[Source: Mashable]
Jason Siu began his career in automotive journalism in 2003 with Modified Magazine, a property previously held by VerticalScope. As the West Coast Editor, he played a pivotal role while also extending his expertise to Modified Luxury & Exotics and Modified Mustangs. Beyond his editorial work, Jason authored two notable Cartech books. His tenure at AutoGuide.com saw him immersed in the daily news cycle, yet his passion for hands-on evaluation led him to focus on testing and product reviews, offering well-rounded recommendations to AutoGuide readers. Currently, as the Content Director for VerticalScope, Jason spearheads the content strategy for an array of online publications, a role that has him at the helm of ensuring quality and consistency across the board.
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