Is the Google Street View Car Self-Driven?

Often, the discussion around autonomous vehicles focuses on the functionality and capabilities of the vehicles themselves. However, the process of mapping roads and streets, which is a crucial component for autonomous driving, has its own dynamics and technology.

Google Street View cars, the vehicles that roam the streets, gather images and data, are not typically associated with autonomous driving. In fact, the primary purpose of these vehicles is to capture street-level imagery, not to be self-driven. Despite the advancements in autonomous vehicle technology, as of now, Google's Street View cars do not operate without human supervision.

State of the Current Technology

According to official statements and technical program managers, the Google Street View cars are not yet self-driven. Steve Silverman, the Technical Program Manager for Google Street View, has stated in Wired's video that the Lidar sensors and other technologies on these vehicles are primarily used for visual cues during the mapping process. For the cars to undertake these tasks, a human driver is always present.

The U.S. regulations on autonomous driving are stringent. At the moment, self-driving cars are not allowed on public roads without a human driver in the driver's seat. These vehicles follow a predefined path and are guided by detailed maps and GPS systems, but they do not operate autonomously without human intervention. This model of semi-autonomous driving is indicative of current technological capabilities and regulatory constraints.

What Google is Working On

Google, however, is not standing still in its pursuit of fully autonomous vehicles. The company is currently working on self-driving vehicles with Level 4 autonomy. This level of autonomy allows for fully self-driving capabilities under certain conditions, such as urban environments and well-mapped roads. However, this includes only paved roads and does not include dirt and country roads that have not been properly mapped.

The process of mapping these routes and improving the accuracy of the data is where the Google Street View cars come into play. These vehicles act as giant mobile 3D scanners, capturing detailed images of the roads, signage, and other infrastructure, which feeds into Google's mapping database. This data is essential for the development and testing of autonomous vehicles, ensuring that they can navigate accurately and safely.

The Evolution of Self-Driving Technology

The development of self-driving technology has a fascinating story, and it's deeply intertwined with the creation of Google Street View. Initially, it was thought that better cameras, sensors, and computer systems would be the key to achieving the goal of self-driving cars. However, it turned out that having better map data was the more critical factor.

This realization came about through the iterative process of developing and enhancing Street View. The idea and execution of Street View were initially inspired by the vision of creating self-driving cars. As the project progressed, it became clear that a comprehensive and detailed map of roads and environments was more crucial for the success of self-driving technology.

This led to the development of better mapping technologies, which in turn improved the capabilities of autonomous vehicles. A video reveals the milestones and early successes in the development of self-driving technology, highlighting the significant progress made in this field over the years.

The process of mapping and validating road conditions is ongoing. Google continues to use Street View images and data to assist in the development of their self-driving cars. This is a reciprocal relationship where the data collected by Street View is crucial for improving the autonomous capabilities of these vehicles. It is a prime example of how one technology can significantly influence the development of another.

Conclusion

In summary, while Google Street View cars are not self-driven at this time, their role in the development of autonomous driving technology is integral. The data they gather is used to enhance the mapping capabilities and ensure the safe and accurate operation of self-driving cars. As technology advances, we can expect to see more improvements in both Street View and self-driving capabilities.

For those interested in the history and development of self-driving technology, a video explaining the origins and evolution of driverless cars is highly recommended. This video provides a comprehensive look at the journey and challenges faced in the development of this cutting-edge technology.