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In the coming weeks, a strange vehicle will begin to walk the streets of Mountain View, in the heart of Silicon Valley. With its small size, its rounded and childish manners, it seems straight out of a cartoon. It also has another peculiarity: it is completely autonomous
This vehicle is the latest driverless car prototype developed by Google.. Unveiled in May 2014, it has already accumulated kilometers of testing on private tracks. From this summer, it also will ride on public roads near the headquarters of the search engine.
It’s been five years since the company conducts experiments in California and Nevada. So far she has only used commercial models, Toyota and Lexus, equipped with a sophisticated radar and camera. This allows mapping the environment and detecting cars, pedestrians, traffic lights, white lines …
Eleven clashes
The new prototype was designed in internal. Twenty units were produced by a small supplier of Detroit, the American stronghold of the automobile. Initially, these cars were to include or steering wheel, or pedals. Google has however had to revise its plans to comply with California regulations, which requires the presence of a driver can regain control.
Nestled in Google X, the laboratory house that imagines the most futuristic concepts The project is still far from reaching. Its director, Chris Urmson evokes a potential commercial launch within five years. Many challenges remain to be solved, he said. For example, “where should stop the car when its destination is unavailable due to work”
Since their first laps run, Google took about cars 1.5 million kilometers autonomously. Without any accident, even explained the company last year. Monday, May 11, however, she had to admit that eleven clashes had taken place. “The driverless vehicle has never been the cause of the accident” says Mr. Urmson.
A phased development
“Many manufacturers are working on driverless cars , says Thilo Koslowski, the research firm Gartner. But the development will be done in stages. “ The analyst believes that it will take another ten years before a completely autonomous model becomes public.
In the meantime, an increasing number of vehicles will lead only in certain conditions. For example, for parking or highway, where the data to be analyzed are less complex than in town. Tesla, the US manufacturer of electric cars, even promises the arrival of an autopilot function this year. For its part, General Motors plans a semi-autonomous model for 2017.
The market may well be the future of the automobile. “In 2035, driverless cars will account for 9% of the world fleet. And almost 100% in 2050 “, predicts Egil Juliussen, research director in the firm IHS Automotive.
Because of its expertise, Google could become a major player in the sector. “The software side will be a crucial element to ensure the reliability of the vehicles, adds Mr. Juliussen. In this regard, the high-tech companies have expertise not possessed by the car manufacturers. “
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