How does Google’s autonomous car work?

An on-board computer uses data from sensors, including radar, a laser and cameras, to make turns and negotiate its way around pedestrians and other vehicles.Under the vision unveiled by Google, passengers might set their destination by typing it into a map or using commands.The cars are also expected to be electric, capable of going 100 […]

An on-board computer uses data from sensors, including radar, a laser and cameras, to make turns and negotiate its way around pedestrians and other vehicles.
Under the vision unveiled by Google, passengers might set their destination by typing it into a map or using commands.
The cars are also expected to be electric, capable of going 100 miles (160 km) before needing to be recharging.
The front of the vehicle has a soft foam-like material where a traditional bumper would be and a more flexible windscreen, in an attempt to be safer for pedestrians.
The prototypes are restricted to speeds of 25mph (40 km/h) and the ability to self-drive will depend on specifically designed Google road maps tested on the company’s current fleet of vehicles.
But ultimately the vehicles will be faster and will be able to use Google’s extended maps service, using GPS technology to locate the vehicle’s exact position on an electronic map.
A combination of radar, lasers and cameras sitting on top of the roof give the car a 360-degree ‘view’, with sensors linked to computer software able to ‘see’ and identify people, cars, road signs and markings and traffic lights.
‘In some embodiments, the type of vehicle of the cyclist may include other means of transportation such as a scooter or moped.’