Nevada Issues a Driver's License to Google's Self-Driving Car

"If you're in Vegas today and you see a car go by with no driver, though, stand back."

Come on, man. It will be hard enough to get people to accept this technology without SCIENCE sites advising people to be afraid of it. I bet this car drives way safer than many, many people currently on the road, without even counting DUIs.

Driving is a privilege, a privilege that kills. This privilege has been abused too much. Evidence of this is all the automobile accidents and fatalities. In my own opinion, this technology is great. It's time for Human error or Human stupidity to stop killing on the roads. I welcome cars that drive themselves; I hate driving anyway. People will probably be opposed to it because they will say it's not safe, or it's taking away one of their freedoms. Well, Humans driving cars isn't safe. A car is a weapon that can be used at any time to kill someone. Until we find an alternative to automobiles, bring on the computer driven vehicles! Of course if the car decides to lock its passengers inside, and drive into a lake, well that's a problem.

Yeah if you see a vehicle with no one behind the wheel rest assured it will be more aware of its surroundings and have thousands of times quicker reflexes than if someone were there!

I agree, the computer driven car may be much safer, and I agree that I am not a fan of the author's tone at the end.

But it does bring to a point. The article sounds like it was tested in perfect conditions. And while you may be able to control driving in inclement weather....

Yes, humans will fail this test many times over, but how does the car react when a person with a death wish boldly steps out in front of it because they technically have the right of way. Or what if a cop needed to pull the car over?

As said, humans often fail the, "What if something goes wrong test." But I want to know how the computer fared on this test before it gets it's license. Just because it can drive in perfect conditions does not a safe driver make.

I doubt that Google's car has road rage programmed in. Living in the Northeast, that's more than enough motivation for me to be in favor of these things.

I love this idea. maybe they can increase speed limits too. that way i can drive my bike the way i want.

I wonder what the ID photo looks like...

The concept sounds great and I think most will agree that this will be a certainty in the future. I just hope they don't try to bring it in too quickly. I don't think we are ready for this technology yet. Try it out in one location first for a few years to see the impact.

Just as one example, there will have to be laws passed that prohibit or restrict empty cars from driving on the road. They will only add to the traffic congestion and you have the potentially nasty situation of someone telling their car to drive around for a half hour to save parking fees ... or drive many miles home and then back again to pick them up. Just wait until you are in a traffic jam surrounded by empty cars!

Realistically this will first be used for rent-a-car scenarios (which means all the cabbies will be out of work) and later there will be more cars on the road at any given time but far fewer cars sold, threatening the car industry.

D13,

Progress is inevitable.

wow this is crazy. in 10 years humans will no longer be killing each other behind the wheel because of drugs and alcohol, road rage and speed. and yeah if all cars drive in sync than a speed limit isn't necessary anymore. heck if all cars moved at the same speed of 100 miles an hour we wont need red lights, stop signs etc anymore.

"religion is like a prison for the seekers of wisdom"

-Killah Priest

OK... but can it text and drive at the same time?! ;-)

if jets fly by computer why not cars. @farout - technology often eliminates the need for human performing tasks. I'm still waiting for Rosie the robot from the Jetsons. I'm sorry Roomba, not quite there (yet).

We need to address the overpopulation of the planet and the strain this places on the environment.

I just wonder if this car (with proper ID) can vote.

What happens if the car, in any scenario, Does hit someone? whose fault is it? human sitting by? engineer? company who sold the car?

Fantastic idea... Because computers NEVER fail, do they?

By the way, the airplanes that fly themselves ALL have pilots at the ready to take over when (not if) there's a problem with the computer. Even military drones have human beings flying them or at least monitoring via remote control.

Completely autonomous cars are a horrible idea that is bound to cost lives.

hmmm thats good idea :) but i recommended oldschool drivers licence - www.autoskola-presto.com

P.S - www.autoskola-presto.com