Google Admits Self-Driven Shortcomings: Report

The boss of Google’s self-driven car program has reportedly outlined the many shortcomings of the new project in an interview with MIT Technology Review.

Project boss Chris Urmson moved to ‘educate’ the public somewhat during the interview, summarising several reasons why the autonomous car is far from ready for use on all public roads.

While Google’s autonomous car program has successfully clocked-up more than 1.1 million kilometres, the preparation required to complete the numerous journeys has been painstaking.

Every metre of the route has been mapped beforehand by computer technology and then studied to ensure the car is aware of various hazards.

And even after such thorough preparation, Mr Urmson admitted the car can’t be used in snow or heavy rain, doesn’t recognise potholes and can only negotiate driveways if they are preprogramed.

The car wouldn’t know to expect a red traffic light if the signals weren’t in its database, but if the self-driven machine was following other vehicles that stopped at the red signal then it would stop as well.