Google & NASCAR introduce autonomous race car
April 1, 2012 12:00 AM   Subscribe

Google partners with NASCAR to introduce an autonomous racing car. # 10^100, of course.
posted by Ardiril (23 comments total) 3 users marked this as a favorite
 
The problem will be coding in enough bloodlust to make it try and cause other drivers to have accidents, without coding in so much bloodlust it either runs over the pit crew or enslaves humanity.
posted by Grimgrin at 12:07 AM on April 1, 2012 [7 favorites]


April fools?
posted by Jesse Hughson at 12:09 AM on April 1, 2012


It would be slightly more plausible in F1 where they don't actually refuel during races and the pit stops already sort of vaguely look like they are performed by robots.
posted by feloniousmonk at 12:17 AM on April 1, 2012


a) there was a Florida anti-smoking PSA at the beginning of the video that was pretty extreme. An aorta full of plaque getting squished out. On the website of the organization that had the Winston Cup Series.

b) this april fools joke done in concert with Google didn't use an embedded youtube video player.

c) My adblock plus plugin is now showing photos of cats instead of ads. I hope that's an option for on 4/2.
posted by birdherder at 12:21 AM on April 1, 2012 [2 favorites]


Have y'all visited Metatalk today?
posted by ZeusHumms at 12:23 AM on April 1, 2012




I'm pretty sure one of these was driving for Kevin Harvick in the Kroger 250 on Saturday.
posted by furiousxgeorge at 12:36 AM on April 1, 2012 [1 favorite]


there was a Florida anti-smoking PSA at the beginning of the video that was pretty extreme. An aorta full of plaque getting squished out.

OH GOD DAMN I HATE THAT COMMERCIAL! I stopped brushing my teeth for weeks after I first saw it.
posted by dirigibleman at 12:43 AM on April 1, 2012


Next up: Anonymous partners with Nascar to introduce anonymous car racing.
posted by daniel_charms at 1:20 AM on April 1, 2012


If it's anything like the AI in Forza, I would kick the fuck out of it ;)!
posted by eyeballkid at 1:32 AM on April 1, 2012


That was how Jean Girard managed to pour his cup of tea.
posted by arcticseal at 1:40 AM on April 1, 2012 [1 favorite]


Google releases all their best ideas on April first. Strange.
posted by AndrewKemendo at 1:42 AM on April 1, 2012


The You Tube Collection
posted by lee at 2:02 AM on April 1, 2012


Only tangentially related, but it's long been my belief that what NASCAR really needs are manned sniper towers off one of the turns, one shooter from every racer's team. Surely there's some synergy between their current fan base and people who appreciate high powered rifles and feats of marksmanship.
posted by radwolf76 at 2:04 AM on April 1, 2012 [4 favorites]


Keeps colliding with the Team Conner car. Weird.
posted by codswallop at 2:44 AM on April 1, 2012


Google make more money with NASCAR.
posted by jonsy at 4:24 AM on April 1, 2012 [1 favorite]


Google now also lets you control the weather for your region.
posted by randomname25 at 6:15 AM on April 1, 2012


The Google car could never come in first because it spends the whole race following everyone around.
posted by 4ster at 10:33 AM on April 1, 2012 [1 favorite]


"In 1.54 miles, turn LEFT."
posted by Orb2069 at 10:41 AM on April 1, 2012 [3 favorites]


Oh man, I've always thought autonomous racing would be WAY MORE EXCITING. Think about what racing would be like if there was no need to worry about keeping a driver alive. Plus, much quicker reaction time means speeds could be increased a great deal.
posted by delmoi at 1:37 PM on April 1, 2012 [1 favorite]


It would be an interesting challenge for a computer driver to win a NASCAR race. The conputer might have some advantages on fuel management in driving skill, but is would be difficult for the robot to get drafting partners and make the right decision about when to try to take the lead.
posted by humanfont at 3:43 PM on April 1, 2012


10 "In 1.54 miles, turn LEFT."
20 GOTO 10
posted by LordSludge at 5:09 PM on April 1, 2012 [2 favorites]


Game Theory and NASCAR
posted by humanfont at 1:52 AM on April 3, 2012


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