On: The problem is with the product

[enome]

I never really understood the reason behind driverless cars until I saw that they create 3D models of the environment they drive through. If everybody would drive a google car that would mean google has the potential of mapping the outside world in 3D in real time or atleast any place where cars can be used. The possibilities with this kind of data are pretty crazy and also a little scary.

[praptak → enome]

< I never really understood the reason behind driverless cars

Really? It might sound crazy but I think people would just buy them because they are, you know, useful for getting places.

[robotresearcher → praptak]

And will save perhaps 20,000 lives and many more serious injuries in the US alone every year.

[rcxdude → enome]

Well, the cars that google are developing also (AFAIK) rely on an existing 3D map of the environment of similar detail to what they scan in.

[rhizome → enome]

Keep in mind that from a business perspective, the main use of these vehicles might be military. Think of them as drones in car form.

[rafe33 → enome]

It's also a massively profitable industry. It would do for the car industry what android previously has done for them in mobile.

[gress → rafe33]

Android is loss making for Google, and has resulted in an industry with only two profitable players, both of whom view Google as a competitor.

I doubt that is the scenario that Google would like for the auto industry.

[jasonlotito → enome]

Nothing awesome can come without fear.