GM to Build Driverless Cars by 2015, Aims to Reach Market by 2018
Although many automakers attempt to build cars for the driver, GM may be looking to build cars that drive themselves. According to CNN Money, Rick Wagoner's speech tomorrow morning at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas will focus on the company's drive to build driverless cars by 2015.
The idea comes 50 years after the Firebird III (and 52 years after the Firebird II) exhibited a similar autonomous mode, but advances in technology have moved the premise from "follow the buried wire" to a state-of-the-art measurement cycle. Adaptive cruise control, stability control, motion sensors, lane-change warning systems and GPS mapping are already in vehicles in some form or another; it's an issue of tying them together with an autonomous drive system.
(Click through for more on GM's plans to eliminate the driver)
Given the usual flow of traffic, it's likely that the first application of the autonomous auto would drive itself only on the freeway. Larry Burns, GM's vice president for research and development, told CNN that the first examples would require driving in cities, but would offer the driver the option of taking over once the vehicle was in a highway environment.
CNN Money mentions the true hurdles could stem from not technology, but humans themselves. There's certainly going to be a vast number of people who wouldn't trust HAL 9000 behind the wheel, and it's real likely that the folks staffing NHTSA will have something to say about the concept and implementation.
GM plans to have the system in test by 2015, but is optimistic that it can actually put it into showrooms by 2018. Researchers who've worked on the DARPA autonomous vehicle programs say implementation is possible, but that 2018 date may be too soon.
That said, what would you say - would you use a car that drives itself? Would you like this technology used in cities or only on freeways? Sound off in the comments section below.
Comments
Corco16446
I'm not ever, ever touching a car that can drive itself
DOWNSHIFTER.
What fun is that going to be? Want to trust your well-being to a possibly life threatening transport system? Call a cab.
The Stig
It's probably better than some of the drivers on the road now. But I still wouldn't trust it. And NO WAY will they have that on the road by 2018. I swear GM is the king of half-baked ideas and promises
chartguy
The line of ambulance chasing lawyers is already forming.
The first time one is involved in an accident, no matter how well it performed, expect GM to be buried in torts.
Mena
"The first time one is involved in an accident, no matter how well it performed, expect GM to be buried in torts."
Expect any car that drives itself at that point to be rendered obsolete.
detroit9000
What about the Buicks that drove themselves in the '90s?
gary
I think it's on the right track, so to speak. Actually that's what it really needs...a physical track. This would make it MUCH more reliable and able to run as fully electric without the need for bulky batteries. Specifically this...
http://www.PRTProject.com
gary
mbslrm
I don't want one.
Jonathan Fung
Eww. If navigation systems can direct you into the path of a train, then clearly, these computer systems do not have the good judgment of unimpaired humans. I would not climb into one of these. GM should junk this project like they did to that V8 project, and keep working on the Volt.
Corbin
As a working musician who is often on the road for long stretches of highway very late at night on the verge of involentary slumber, I would welcome the autopilot. Also, it would be a great way to reduce drunk driving.
southern
Big deal.
Have you ever ben to Florida?
we have had tons of driverless cars down here for years.
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