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Fasten Your Seatbelts: Google's Driverless Car Is Worth Trillions
Forbes ^ | 1/22/2013 | Chunke Mui

Posted on 01/24/2013 12:36:57 AM PST by Vince Ferrer

Much of the reporting about Google’s driverless car has mistakenly focused on its science-fiction feel. In fact, the driverless car has broad implications for society, for the economy and for individual businesses. Just in the U.S., the car puts up for grab some $2 trillion a year in revenue and even more market cap. It creates business opportunities that dwarf Google’s current search-based business and unleashes existential challenges to market leaders across numerous industries, including car makers, auto insurers, energy companies and others that share in car-related revenue.

(Excerpt) Read more at forbes.com ...


TOPICS: Business/Economy; News/Current Events
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To: Vince Ferrer

No damn way I want a driverless car!!!


21 posted on 01/24/2013 3:25:40 AM PST by dalereed
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To: ReaganGeneration2

“This is Google.”

Google is crap!!!

I’ve never bought anthing in my life because of advertising.

I’ve never bought anything in a store that i didn’t go there to specificly buy.

If it isn’t on my list all the bullshit in the world wouldn’t make me look at it or consider buying it.


22 posted on 01/24/2013 3:32:16 AM PST by dalereed
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To: Vince Ferrer

Is this the cure for women drivers?


23 posted on 01/24/2013 3:34:30 AM PST by Cowboy Bob (Soon the "invisible hand" will press the economic "reset" button.)
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To: Vince Ferrer
"These driverless cars are a miracle!"

"Yes, we can finally feel safe having a computer take us to our destination"

"Wait - What's that on the console?...."


24 posted on 01/24/2013 3:45:01 AM PST by Caipirabob (Communists... Socialists... Democrats...Traitors... Who can tell the difference?)
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To: Cowboy Bob
Is this the cure for women drivers?
Yeah. Men drivers, too . . .
Also the cure for sleepy drivers, drunk drivers . . .

25 posted on 01/24/2013 3:45:45 AM PST by conservatism_IS_compassion (The idea around which “liberalism" coheres is that NOTHING actually matters except PR.)
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To: dalereed
No damn way I want a driverless car!!!

Couldn't say it better.

This is dangerous on so many levels, not the least of which is the erosion of personal freedom. Even some "conservative" FReepers seem to be missing that point.

Our masters want nothing more than a way to track and control the movements of the proletariat. They're constantly agitating for GPS trackers in cars to implement a "tax-by-the-mile" system. The Googlemobile gives them that, and a whole lot more. They are what a tyrant dreams about.

26 posted on 01/24/2013 3:52:07 AM PST by Fresh Wind (The last remnants of the Old Republic have been swept away.)
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To: Jeff Winston
The folks at google have undoubtedly thought of all of the potential gotchas, legal and otherwise.

You raise a good point, and I believe you are correct. The one issue I see here is typical humanity - people let their cars go without maintenance until they are too dangerous too drive. I doubt the automated systems will detect loose or broken sway bar links, worn tires, loose ball joints, worn tie rod ends, and so forth. Or maybe they will and prevent the car from being used, but if so, people will be furious that they actually have to fix their cars instead of driving their dangerous sh!t boxes on same roads as me.

27 posted on 01/24/2013 4:12:16 AM PST by Hardastarboard (The Liberal ruling class hates me. The feeling is mutual.)
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To: American Dream 246

When you get to the point where the state will not issue you a driver’s license, you will still be able to get around on your own, or if you have a little too much to drink, you can have the car drive you home. There will always be an on/off switch for the auto-pilot, so you can do it yourself but the possibility of maintaining your freedom to go places when you can’t drive yourself is priceless.


28 posted on 01/24/2013 4:29:48 AM PST by 2001convSVT (Going Galt as fast as I can.)
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To: Vince Ferrer
   You could pack a car full of packages and send it to its destination without a driver.

  In an emergency, your cat could drive himself to the vet.
29 posted on 01/24/2013 4:52:03 AM PST by Maurice Tift (You can't stop the signal, Mal. You can never stop the signal.)
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To: Sherman Logan

We could also reduce the number of bathrooms by 900%. After all, they are only in use for a few minutes a day...


30 posted on 01/24/2013 5:01:05 AM PST by bitterohiogunclinger (Proudly casting a heavy carbon footprint as I clean my guns ---)
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To: piasa

I’ve worked with robotics and know the cars would be just fine if you can eliminate all the variables that would interfere with them. Unfortunately you can’t eliminate the variables without putting dedicated roads inside sealed concrete tubes.


31 posted on 01/24/2013 5:07:55 AM PST by cripplecreek (REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)
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To: Cowboy Bob

Well, it could eliminate DWA’s.


32 posted on 01/24/2013 5:08:12 AM PST by cuban leaf (Were doomed! Details at eleven.)
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To: Fresh Wind

I think we need to get rid of most of the safety equipment on cars and learn to drive again.


33 posted on 01/24/2013 5:11:45 AM PST by cripplecreek (REMEMBER THE RIVER RAISIN!)
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To: Vince Ferrer
 photo DASH_zpsef639304.jpg
34 posted on 01/24/2013 5:13:11 AM PST by OSHA (One despises and wants to destroy the United States, the other is a dead terrorist.)
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To: Fresh Wind

Wouldn’t mind a self-driving car on the Interstate, assuming it can dodge crap like tires, deal with accidents and traffic jams, etc.

Once I get off, though, I want control.


35 posted on 01/24/2013 5:31:14 AM PST by Little Ray (Waiting for the return of the Gods of the Copybook Headings.)
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To: Maurice Tift

You could also pack a car full of explosives and send it on its way. It would be an undetectable 70mph cruise missile.


36 posted on 01/24/2013 5:49:35 AM PST by Steel Wolf ("Few men desire liberty; most men wish only for a just master." - Gaius Sallustius Crispus)
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To: American Dream 246

Must my 16 year old car ask my permission to go for a simple joyride in the country? Or will it sneak off with its friends by itself? I’d sure like to know who his friends are. I doubt I have to worry about my ancient Explorer meeting up with younger Prius’ at Lover’s Lane.


37 posted on 01/24/2013 5:50:44 AM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: Sherman Logan
...nobody wants to work the off-shifts necessary to make this work...not very many people want to do their shopping at 3 am.

When Big Bro dictates you SHALL purchase a driverless car, it's a small step to telling you WHAT CAREER you shall have and WHEN you will report to work.

I worked in Red China almost 30 years ago and my interpreter was a violin genius, capable of playing in any philharmonic in the world. The STATE in its wisdom said there were no such jobs required in China and he would therefore be an interpreter for life.

38 posted on 01/24/2013 6:02:21 AM PST by ProtectOurFreedom
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To: Vince Ferrer

Or will it just cost trillions?


39 posted on 01/24/2013 6:06:41 AM PST by <1/1,000,000th%
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To: Vince Ferrer
Within 30-50 years, fully manual driving will be made illegal.

40 posted on 01/24/2013 6:08:41 AM PST by BitWielder1 (Corporate Profits are better than Government Waste)
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