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GM Says Driverless Cars Will Be Ready By 2018

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the look-ma-no-hands dept.

Gregor Stipicic writes "Cars that drive themselves — even parking at their destination — could be ready for sale within a decade, General Motors Corp. executives say. 'This is not science fiction,' Larry Burns, GM's vice president for research and development, said in a recent interview. GM plans to use an inexpensive computer chip and an antenna to link vehicles equipped with driverless technologies. The first use likely would be on highways; people would have the option to choose a driverless mode while they still would control the vehicle on local streets, Burns said. He said the company plans to test driverless car technology by 2015 and have cars on the road around 2018."

10 of 646 comments (clear)

  1. Good by _PimpDaddy7_ · · Score: 4, Funny

    I'm sure the AI will drive much better than some of the people on these roads in Boston LOL

    1. Re:Good by zippthorne · · Score: 4, Funny

      Computer drives your car, leaving YOU free to man the turret. If Phone-y McSoccerMom gets too close, Blast her with a holosonic warning, "quit emailing movies of jr. or quit putting on makeup. Better yet, Both! Also, pay attention to the road. Unsevered necks don't grow on trees, you know." Then take a picture on your iiiPhone and email it to traffic control.

      Further, what makes you think you can react to road dangers faster than a radar-equipped mesh-networking auto-bot?

      --
      Can you be Even More Awesome?!
    2. Re:Good by Rei · · Score: 4, Funny

      Why do they need a new chip for this? There are already perfectly good navigation algorithms. They should license use of the Roomba's navigation system from iRobot and install that on cars. Sure, they'll need front bumper sensors and a cliff sensor, but that's pretty trivial.

      --
      Next to my desk we have an Ire Extinguisher. Our boss is really assertive, so we like the idea of having it.
  2. The possibilities are endless! by geminidomino · · Score: 4, Funny

    Just imagine the crossover deals this will open up.

    "Drive to Pathmark"

    "Pathmark is overrated. Destination modified to Walmart." *doors lock*

    1. Re:The possibilities are endless! by Lord+Ender · · Score: 4, Funny

      Eventually, GOOG will use it's huge market cap to move in to the Auto space. They will begin offering free, advertising-sponsored cars. They will monitor your driving habits and steer you near relevant businesses, showing ads for the businesses in the HUD.

      --
      A slashdotter who didn't build his own computer is like a Jedi who didn't build his own lightsaber.
    2. Re:The possibilities are endless! by ishmaelflood · · Score: 5, Funny

      Why, is she vegetarian?

  3. Sounds about right. by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    I haven't driven a GM car in years. So yeah I can see GM cars becoming driverless within my lifetime.

  4. Re:Obligatory by greeze · · Score: 5, Funny

    In Soviet Russia, YOU drive CAR?

  5. Number 1 use by inverselimit · · Score: 4, Funny

    I guarantee the number one application in cities will be telling your car to circle so you don't have to find parking. Traffic will get way worse, then this will be outlawed.

  6. Re:Obligatory by Roger+W+Moore · · Score: 4, Funny

    No: In Soviet Russia, YOU drive CZAR (out).