Self-Driving Car Test: Steve Mahan

We announced our self-driving car project in 2010 to make driving safer, more enjoyable, and more efficient. Having safely completed over 200,000 miles of computer-led driving, we wanted to share one of our favorite moments. Here's Steve, who joined us for a special drive on a carefully programmed route to experience being behind the wheel in a whole new way. We organized this test as a technical experiment, but we think it's also a promising look at what autonomous technology may one day deliver if rigorous technology and safety standards can be met.

A version of this video with audio captions is available here:

Music: The Album Leaf - "We Need Help"

[_____case]

12 years later, they've launched a fully autonomous ride hailing service in multiple cities.

[Nycguy]

This is incredible and would benefit so many people. It will increase safety, taking out human errors... Sleeping behind the wheel, drunk driving, speeding due to road rage, careless young drivers ect.
it will benefit the elderly, handicapped, blind who are unable to drive.
And long road trips for families and truck drivers will become easier and much more enjoyable.

[zimbebe]

I just don't want Human drivers to become obsolete. I think for disabled people this is a great thing. There should still be a choice if you want to drive yourself because I love driving myself it's one of the few things I truly enjoy!

[nyanpraterjr]

My heart absolutely melts each time I watch this video - it's probably my 100th time watching it so far.

[fordentistry]

This technology should be incorporated into driving test so that no bias is incorporated into the result of a student driver.
The result should be able to re-evaluated if pleaded by student drivers.
There is lot of biases and differences which different examiners incorporate into test results of students.
Hope so.

[Durable]

stop calling google lazy, this car is designed to help non-handed (or handicap) people, also lazy people

[TheNotverysocial]

Correct. Having one's own personal vehicle is most practical for:
1) Fetching a large bulk of groceries and hardware to support several.
2) Long distance travel, such as transcontinental, or international.
3) Serve the physically handicapped.
or 4) You live in a rural setting, and mass transit or walking are impractical.
Otherwise, there is no reason not to walk, ride a bicycle, or take a bus/cab in the meantime.

[SahajSingh]

I remember watching this video in awe when this launched and Google got their permit in Nevada. This was the start of a beautiful new future for transportation.

[solty]

I bet, this car can't self drive in India

[TheMRPAPICHULO]

I would really love to know more about this for my 17 year old son that is visually impaired.
His vision is 200 / 400 and this would just bring up his spirit because he was told, he would never be able to drive. Hearing this at his age when all of his friends are talking about what kind of car they are going to get. Please send me some info about this.Thank you

[dpixphoto]

I lost my peripheral vision from a stroke, my husband died a few years ago and now I am basically a prisoner in my own house. THe area I live is just outside the bus routes, so I have no transportation. I didn't realize how much losing that driving would impact my life. I can't go to the store, to church or even doctors appointments. II so wish these cars were more available. Keep it up Google & others so you may help others in the future like me.

[EenGamer.]

Why do i get this as an ad 7 years later

[dannainan]

I seriously can't believe that 1825 people could vote thumbs down on this. There really are so many heartless, soulless people in this world.

[SpirusOfH]

Now they just need to change the comments back to normal! Oh yeah, and cancel the Google+ bullshit!

[theawardgoesto]

I wish people would stop complaining about the google plus comments integration with youtube.  Don't say anything stupid and you won't have to worry about it being tracked and revealed on your profile.  By the way this is great, google is disturbingly innovative.

[marbentan]

How could I contact the people who are in charge of these cars? In my city they did a tour of only a couple of streets, which are not the main ones and it is an unrepresentative circuit

[oliviamyers]

Wow, this brought tears to my eyes. I had no idea he was blind and the fact that you can a whole new experience to blind, disabled people and older persons . Driving and mobility issues can be the largest ibarriers in the type of life one can lead. Independence is a key factor in the decisions people make. Can I do this on my own ? Why should I have to call anyone for help? I did not realize how much this technology could change the lives of so many.

[JohnnyLaracuenteTV]

Wow I so love this!  I simply cannot wait til we see more and more driver-less cars.  There's so many different uses that would come in handy with this technology and I feel that it would tremendously better the world as a whole.  Keep up the good work Google and please may I also go for a ride in it?  :)

[Takedownman]

I am past legally blind as well! I would love something like this!

[HoboErectusTheAznAnimatorK]

I remembered this when I was a toddler