Google teaches its self-driving car how to honk politely
- 8 years ago
MOUNTAIN VIEW, CALIFORNIA — Google has taught its self-driving cars how to honk in the most polite way.
The self-driving cars were taught how to distinguish the difference between false alarms, such as a person making a three-point turn, and dangerous situations like someone driving down the wrong side of the road.
During the initial test phase, the honks were heard only inside the car. The test driver would note whether the honk was made appropriately.
Google announced in its monthly report that the test results helped to improve its honking algorithms, promoting them to broadcast the honks to people outside the vehicle.
For example, the Google vehicle would make two short beeps to remind another car that is slowly reversing towards it about its presence.
It would make a long and loud beep in urgent situations such as a distracted pedestrian or an oncoming vehicle.
The silent vehicle can also mimic the sound characteristics of traditional cars to help alert pedestrians and the visually impaired to the car’s presence.
Google is testing 24 Lexus RX450h SUVs and 34 prototype cars, which are driving an average of 10,000 to 15,000 miles per week.
Google self-driving cars have been involved in only one crash that was their fault. That happened on Valentine’s Day this year, when a Google car hit a bus in Silicon Valley.
The self-driving cars were taught how to distinguish the difference between false alarms, such as a person making a three-point turn, and dangerous situations like someone driving down the wrong side of the road.
During the initial test phase, the honks were heard only inside the car. The test driver would note whether the honk was made appropriately.
Google announced in its monthly report that the test results helped to improve its honking algorithms, promoting them to broadcast the honks to people outside the vehicle.
For example, the Google vehicle would make two short beeps to remind another car that is slowly reversing towards it about its presence.
It would make a long and loud beep in urgent situations such as a distracted pedestrian or an oncoming vehicle.
The silent vehicle can also mimic the sound characteristics of traditional cars to help alert pedestrians and the visually impaired to the car’s presence.
Google is testing 24 Lexus RX450h SUVs and 34 prototype cars, which are driving an average of 10,000 to 15,000 miles per week.
Google self-driving cars have been involved in only one crash that was their fault. That happened on Valentine’s Day this year, when a Google car hit a bus in Silicon Valley.