When it comes to self-driving cars, the possibilities are seemingly limitless. In the past year, we’ve heard all kinds of interesting announcements, including prototype cars that can go really fast, self-driving cars driving across the country, and even self-flying cars (well, maybe someday).
But on the road, anything can happen. Including cows. Our beefy friends do sometimes have the unfortunate habit of getting into the roadway, and while they don’t tend to be as rambunctious as llamas these cud-chewing creatures do present an interesting problem to self driving car manufacturers. What exactly would happen if your self driving car encountered a herd of cattle?
Google, being Google, has already thought of this question and patented the answer to it.
How this technology works ..?
If the car encounters something in its path, it won’t necessarily be able to tell the difference between a cow, car, or moose, but it will be able to ‘see’ a large object. The car can then slow down or stop, and a timer will activate. If the object is still there after a certain amount of time, the car can ask its Google overlords (or an algorithm) to plot a course around the problem, even if the new path involves a temporary rule infraction like going onto the shoulder, or moving into another lane to avoid a double-parked car.
Even with some things still left to decide one thing is certain: Google isn’t letting cows stand in the way of its success.
