Google, Audi etc. all have permits to test self-driving cars on public roads in California, Nevada, Florida and Michigan. Their computer-controlled cars have driven 500,000 plus miles without a human driver in complete control. Only recently it was reported that Google's self-driving have been involved in 11 accidents, minor accidents so to say. Google in particular has been experimenting with the tech for six years now.
However self-driving vehicles are coming to other parts of the world, Switzerland for example. On Tuesday telecommunications operator Swisscom announced that it has gotten testing permit from the Federal Road Office to trial a driverless Volkwagen Passat in Zurich roads. The first self-driving car in Switzerland.
Just like other autonomous cars being tested in the United States and other European countries, Swisscom Volkswagen Passat is fully equipped with video cameras, sensors, radar, lasers and computer to help it detects traffic lights, pedestrians, other cars etc. and for steering and braking. There are two human drivers on ground to take over just in case something goes wrong.
Swisscom is conducting the test in partnership with Germany's AutoNomos Labs. It started the project on May 4th and will end on May 14th, tomorrow. Swisscom says it is not turning into a car maker, but rather wants to understand how to apply the innovations of digital communications network in this sector.
