Google cars to have assertiveness training

Driverless cars must become more ‘pushy’ so they can tackle aggressive humans

Google self-driving Lexus RX hybrid SUVGoogle cars are to be programmed with pushier, more assertive algorithms after engineers found the current logic unable to square up to less cautious humans.

700,000 miles of testing has already been completed on the roads around Google’s Mountain View, California HQ – and while they have been safe, testers have discovered other drivers are taking advantage of the Google cars’ cautions approach.

Technical leader Nathaniel Fairfield told the San Jose Mercury News that “if you’re always yielding and conservative, basically everybody will just stomp on you all day.”

It means engineers are programming the Google cars to leave less space between the car in front on freeways, and have engineered new logic that lets the cars “inch forward decisively” at four-way crossings so other drivers don’t race them through it.

Driving ‘a social thing’

Technical leader Brian Torcellini said engineers are learning that “driving can be a social thing where you’re using your vehicle and a little bit of body language in your car to communicate with other drivers what your intentions are.

“So we’re now trying to teach the car different ways to fit in with society and the way that other people drive.”

All testing is currently being carried out in Google-branded Lexus RX hybrid SUVs, equipped with rooftop laser, radar, video cameras and a full battery of sensors. On California’s fully Google-mapped roads, the self-driving hybrids have become a familiar sight.

Google spokeswoman Katelin Jabbari confident that no Google Lexus self-driving car has received a traffic ticket or caused an accident.

They have, however, been rear-ended by other drivers on several occasions.

ALSO READ

RAC predicts two tier used car sector

BMW reveals parking via smartwatch technology

Lamborghini Aventador Pirelli Edition revealed

Related Articles

Richard Aucock
Richard Aucockhttps://www.richardaucock.co.uk/
Richard is director at Motoring Research. He has been with us since 2001, and has been a motoring journalist even longer. He won the IMCO Motoring Writer of the Future Award in 1996 and the acclaimed Sir William Lyons Award in 1998. Both awards are run by the Guild of Motoring Writers and Richard is currently vice chair of the world's largest organisation for automotive media professionals. Richard is also a juror and Steering Committee director for World Car Awards and the UK juror for the AUTOBEST awards.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Find a Car Review

Latest

Salon Privé London to host three days of champagne and supercars

Salon Privé London returns to the Royal Hospital in Chelsea next month, with special celebrations of McLaren and the Porsche 911 Turbo.

New Volkswagen ID.Buzz GTX gets 340hp and all-wheel drive

The retro-styled ID. Buzz people carrier is now offered with 340hp, making for an unlikely addition to Volkswagen’s sporty GTX range.

How to protect your car with an OBD port locking device

We explain how to prevent your car being stolen by criminals targeting its On-Board Diagnostics (OBD) port.

Kia EV9 is World Car of the Year 2024

The Kia EV9 is the latest pure electric car to be named World Car of the Year – and it also scooped the World Electric Vehicle 2024 prize