Bill Signed For Self Driving Cars On Public Roads

Self driving cars are a step closer to reality!

California governor Jerry Brown signed bill SB1298 two days ago which formalizes the legal and safety standards for automated cars so that they could be driven on state owned roads. This is good news for people with visual impairment and other disabilities (that hinder their ability to commute) because in the future, this self driving car would enable them to fearlessly commute without having to depend on others for transportation purposes.

Several important points were made during the bill signing ceremony, some of which were:

- Accidents are caused by human errors. The self driving cars have potential to avoid accidents.

- The "drivers", when stuck in traffic, can utilize their time doing something else, thus being more productive.

- Self driving cars have the ability to eliminate congestion.

- Last, but not the least, self driving cars do not jump red lights!

Of course, there is still a lot of testing that needs to be done. However, Sergey Brin thinks that the self driving car would probably be ready for public use in five years or so.

Watch the following video to see Sergey Brin and Jerry Brown talk about the self driving car and how these cars would change our lives.

Source: Google+ via Engadget

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Blind Man Drives Google's Self Driving Car

"This is some of the best driving I have ever done."


Meet Steve Mahan - A man, having lost 95% of his sight, is way past legal blindness. Recently, he was asked by Google to test drive their self driven car, and the result is just mind blowing.

Watch the video to see Steve Mahan "driving" the self driven car, with Google employees giving him company. "Look ma, no hands" he says, as the Prius, decorated with Google logos, drives off on the streets. The video shows the car carefully and quite accurately maneuvering turns and entering a Taco Bell drive through where Steve orders a burrito. While driving, Steve is seen chatting with his co-passengers (of course with no hands and feet touching any of the controls).

The car is still not perfect, but according to Google, the self driving car project has completed more than 200,000 miles of computer assisted driving since 2010. From what we see in the video, the car is on the right track!




Hit the source links to read more.

Source: Google+ via The Verge

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MV-1: Wheelchair Accessible Car

MV-1 is the first ever vehicle to be introduced that is wheelchair accessible right out of the factory. Launched by a startup called Vehicle Production Group, the MV-1 is priced at $39,500 (and up),  and has been specifically designed keeping people with disabilities in mind.

The vehicle, which looks like a cross between a SUV and a mini van, is already available through 41 dealers in the US. The company already has orders for 4,000 of these vehicles, and is expected to manufacture 12,000 units next year, and 25,000 the year after. The vehicle is quite spacious - it has abundant head room and has room for four people in wheelchairs along with four adults plus luggage. It comes with a powerful V8 4.6L engine, and gives a mileage of around 15 mpg on gasoline or 13.5 mpg on compressed natural gas.

The MV-1 comes with a ramp that can be deployed manually, wheelchair restraining track, and a six way adjustable driver's seat. Spending a little more than $2,000 will give the MV-1 a power ramp with lighting and cruise control, among other things. It also comes up with a 5 year/75,000 miles warranty.

To see a list of all the features available in this vehicle, please go here.

Website: Vehicle Production Group

See the videos for more information:

Source: Autoweek via @Empowerability

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