Art Wheaton, automotive industry expert and senior lecturer at Cornell University’s ILR School, says that the Google car concept will be successful in certain automotive niches, but individual drivers will choose personal freedom and convenience over a car that drives itself.

Wheaton says:

“The announcement by Google for their autonomous vehicle may be of interest in 20 years.

“The capability to have self-driving vehicles for delivering packages, mass transit or other point-to-point predetermined locations may be a trend for the near future.

“I highly doubt individual car owners will give up their freedom to drive anywhere, anytime for the Google car. It could be used in California for dedicated HOV lanes. The success of the Prius in the United States owes a great debt to California HOV lane preferential treatment. People may pay for the convenience of a shorter commute and own two vehicles in the family. One for commuting and the other for family or pleasure travel.”

MEDIA CONTACT
Register for reporter access to contact details