I think this is just semantics. If Google's technology is powering my self-driving Honda Civic, someone has to pay for it. The hardware, the software, the service, all three of those are going to cost money. Google is not going to give away the hardware, someone will buy that, but that's not where the money is. They might give away/open source some of the software, that's irrelevant.
The big question is if the live navigation and driving service is going to be like Google Maps or Google Apps.
I don't think the division between paid vs ads has anything to do with consumer vs business. It has to do with if someone will pay for it, plain and simple, or if they have to monetize it through advertising (directly or downstream.) Android they had no choice and were willing to do anything to ensure they didn't miss the smartphone train. Here, they have all the leverage and no competition.
I'm pretty sure you'll see auto manufacturers paying for the service in a license-like fashion to put it in all their cars or consumers will pay directly for the service. I don't think anyone expects their car to drive itself around for free, and will be willing to pay for it, just like they don't expect free internet service and pay google for Google Fiber. I said "licensing" but what I meant really is "pay for the service directly."
edit: Oh, and even if it turns out consumers get a free ride (literally :)) you're still looking at absurd revenue from all the commercial entities that will have a need for this technology, both traditional ones (shippers, commercial transportation) and new ones we haven't thought of yet that become possible once the tech is available, like car-sharing services or micro-shipping. Google certainly isn't going to let them use it for free.
The big question is if the live navigation and driving service is going to be like Google Maps or Google Apps.
I don't think the division between paid vs ads has anything to do with consumer vs business. It has to do with if someone will pay for it, plain and simple, or if they have to monetize it through advertising (directly or downstream.) Android they had no choice and were willing to do anything to ensure they didn't miss the smartphone train. Here, they have all the leverage and no competition.
I'm pretty sure you'll see auto manufacturers paying for the service in a license-like fashion to put it in all their cars or consumers will pay directly for the service. I don't think anyone expects their car to drive itself around for free, and will be willing to pay for it, just like they don't expect free internet service and pay google for Google Fiber. I said "licensing" but what I meant really is "pay for the service directly."
edit: Oh, and even if it turns out consumers get a free ride (literally :)) you're still looking at absurd revenue from all the commercial entities that will have a need for this technology, both traditional ones (shippers, commercial transportation) and new ones we haven't thought of yet that become possible once the tech is available, like car-sharing services or micro-shipping. Google certainly isn't going to let them use it for free.