newnetland

European Tech Analysis

Google Self-Driving Car CEO: “We need to focus on nothing short of full autonomy”

Posted on 14. January 2016 Written by Marcel Weiss

Re/code:

[John Krafcik, the chief executive of Google’s self-driving car division] did not unfurl any deals with carmakers. Instead, he doubled down on Google’s unique commitment to total autonomy, a critical signal to the industry — and its regulators — that this approach is the safest route as self-driving vehicles prepare to become a massive business.

“The industry has been making continuous incremental gains, but for self-driving cars to reach their full potential we need to focus on nothing short of full autonomy,” Krafcik said on Tuesday at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. (..)

At the moment, however, Google is alone in this camp. All the carmakers working on autonomy, including Tesla, have endorsed an incremental approach — building in self-driving features so consumers can adapt to them. Many disagree with Google that this is fundamentally less safe.

There is not only tension with regards to technological feasability but, more importantly perhaps, with regards to business and incentives:

Several people in the industry say that Google’s business interest is in operating fully driverless taxi fleets. If Google can convince the automotive industry — and, perhaps more critically, automotive regulators — that this is a safer approach, then that better positions its business interest.

That of course is the business goal for Google here. A fully autonomous car fleet could mean in the long run that Google parent Alphabet just added an Uber to its portfolio. (with the according valuation and business opportunity)

Related

Filed Under: Links Tagged With: Cars

Analysis and links to articles on the big picture of the tech industry and the networked information economy.

Author: Marcel Weiss is a writer, consultant and fighter for pareto-optima. He is thinking and linking from Berlin, Germany.

contact: marcel@neunetz.com

Marcel Weiss on LinkedIn
newnetland on Twitter
RSS-Feed

Subscribe by e-mail to newnetland (E-mails go out weekly, on Fridays.)

Recent Analysis

Implications of the Microsoft Wunderlist deal

Zoë Keating and the problem with streaming services being shop *&* record collection

Apple should review App Review

Would Microsoft fork Android? Not likely.

Define web platform

Recent Links

“What if Our Problems Aren’t Tech Problems?”

“We are not reaching 1.5ºC earlier than previously thought”

“The Digital Nomads Did Not Prepare for This”

“Various first words”

“Germany Drops Idea Of ‘Pre-Flagging’ Legal Uploads, Which Could Have Stopped EU Copyright Filters Blocking Memes, Parodies, Quotes And Creative Commons Material”

Categories

  • Analysis
  • Links
Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy

Copyright © 2023 · Focus Pro Theme on Genesis Framework · WordPress · Log in