Driverless Car Navigates Berlin Streets
By Grieshaber, Kirsten; Associated Press Via Yahoo! News,Publication Date: September 20, 2011
Article discusses the development of computer controlled cars. A Volkswagen Passat was used as a platform for a car that navigates through traffic using a combination of devices, including a computer, a precision satellite navigation system in the trunk, a camera in the front, and laser scanners on the roof and around the front and rear bumpers. The vehicle can recognize other cars, pedestrians, buildings, and trees up to 70 yards around it as well as the colors of traffic lights ahead and will react accordingly. The car has been in development at Berlin’s Free University for four years. Regarding safety issues, the designers of the car interviewed claim that the vehicle’s recognition and reaction to its environment is much faster than that of a human being. However, there are also legal issues that need to be addressed, including who would be responsible in case of an accident, the owner of the computer-controlled car or the company that produced it? Other companies are developing similar vehicles, notably Google, which has been testing a robotic Toyota Prius in Nevada. Fully automatic cars reportedly could become available to consumers within a decade.
Published by: Associated Press (Website:http://www.ap.org)
Link to text: http://news.yahoo.com/driverless-car-navigates-berlin-streets-100609497.html
