In recent days, a strange vehicle wanders the streets of Mountain View, in the heart of Silicon Valley. With its small size, rounded shapes and his childish manners, it seems straight out of a cartoon. It also has another feature: it is fully autonomous.This is indeed the first driverless car prototype designed entirely by Google.
It's been five years since the company conducts experiments in California and Nevada. But until now, she had used commercial models, Toyota and Lexus. These cars are equipped with a sophisticated radar and camera. This allows mapping the environment and detect cars, pedestrians, traffic lights, white lines ...
The new prototype of "Google car" was developed internally. Twenty units were produced by a small supplier of Detroit, the US stronghold of the automobile.Originally, these cars were not included 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.
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11 ACCIDENTS
Unveiled in May 2014, the prototype - which did not officially name - has already accumulated kilometers of testing on private tracks. The second phase of testing now takes place on public roads near the headquarters of the search engine, a top speed of 40 km / h. These tests should help improve performance in the city, a complex environment for driverless cars.
Nestled in Google X, the laboratory house imagine 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 the destination is unavailable due to work? "
Since their first laps run, Google's cars have performed approximately 1.5 million kilometers autonomously. Without any accident, even explained the company last year. In early May, however, she had to admit that eleven clashes had taken place since the early trials. "The driverless vehicle has never been the cause of the accident," says Mr. Urmson.
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STILL WAITING TEN YEARS?
Google is not the only company to be interested in cars without drivers. Tuesday, June 23, Ford has formalized its ambitions in the field. "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 maker 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.
"In 2035, driverless cars will account for 9% of the world fleet. And almost 100% in 2050, "predicts Egil Juliussen, the firm IHS Automotive. Google could become a major player in the sector. "The software side will be a crucial element to ensure the reliability of the vehicles, says the analyst. On this point, the high-tech companies have expertise not possessed automakers. "
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