Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) is on the move, taking its pod-like driverless cars for testing on the roads in Texas. The move will mark the first time that the cars will venturing out of Google’s Mountain View neighborhood in California. According to Google, test in Austin will enable the company to understand more about the behavior of its autonomous cars. But for drivers in Austin, there will be an opportunity to interact with the “future.”
In the next few weeks, Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) will be introducing its driverless cars on Austin roads. Google’s self-driving cars that look like a computer mouse (according to some Austin kids), were introduced in June and have been cruising in California.
At a special event last weekend, Google took the opportunity to showcase its small autonomous cars to the residents of Austin ahead of introduction on the roads there. Austin drivers will have the rare opportunity of driving alone Google’s driverless cars in their highways.
A time to learn
As Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG) sets out to test its pod-like cars in Texas, the company is mostly out to learn new things. Google will be keen to find out how the software that drives its autonomous cars behave in different terrains and roads. The company will also seek to get feedback from other road users about its self-driving cars.
Although Google’s small cars are able to drive themselves, Google will have a human driver in cars during road tests. The will be a measure to ensure that there is prompt intervention in case of any hitch that requires human input. However, it is worth pointing out that according to Google’s safety records, its driverless cars have high safety ratings.
Proving a point
Google Inc (NASDAQ:GOOG)’s introduction of its self-driving cars in Texas is as symbolic as it is a learning opportunity. Some have said that fully autonomous cars for everyday driving are still several years out, nearly a decade away. However, Google is moving so fast with the trial of its autonomous driving technology in a manner that seems to suggest that it wants to prove some analysts wrong.
