Google aiming to have its self-driving car on the market by 2020

Google’s self-driving car initiative may not be as far off as many might think. During a talk at the TED conference in Vancouver, Google’s head of self-driving cars Chris Urmson said that his team is working to launch the technology onto the market by 2020 (that year may sound familiar if you’ve followed the Re/Code).

Urmson went on to express his belief that only self-driving cars can truly reduce the number of accidents on the road. Current available driving safety technology helps drivers be safer in some instances, but not to the extent that autonomous cars will, he claims. One reason for this, according to Google, is that with the current safe driving technology, drivers are prone to take more risks, but if they are not behind the wheel at all, they won’t be able to make those poor decisions.

Google’s It was revealed earlier this year that Google is also working with auto manufacturers like GM, Ford, Volkswagen and Daimler on the self-driving technology.