Previous Story
Google bringing self-driving cars to Washington state
Posted On Feb 06 2016
Comment: Off
The idea of having to stop and plug in your auto was offsetting for many people, this may be the reason for which wireless charging is now tested by Google for self-driving vehicles.
It’s basically the same charging principle used by wireless phone charger, only that you have to think even bigger.
Two companies have set up their wireless charging stations at Google’s headquarters in Mountain View, California, despite refusing to comment on whether the partnership was real or not.
Wireless charging is something we associate with modern smartphones.
The company’s fleet of prototype driverless cars rely on sensors and software to complete journeys.
Momentum Dynamics, a Philadelphia company, sent ready to be installed chargers in July. The announcement also details that the plan is to have the cars on public roads by the end of this month.
The Chevy Volt and the Nissan LEAF already have a wireless charging technology, but the equipment requires complex installation on both the outside and the inside of the vehicle.
IEE Spectrum is reporting that Google is working on a technology called resonant magnetic induction, which is a type of wireless charging that could use manhole like transmitters that are embedded in the pavement and roads, which could in turn charge the cars.
Deputy Mayor for Transport Isabel Dedring said discussions were at an early stage but “we would be keen for trials to happen”.
According to a new document leaked from the FCC, it would seem that Alphabet Inc, former Google, is going to move ahead with its plan to expand the driverless vehicle business venture.
It would be the first time Google’s autonomous cars have been tested extensively outside of the US. “We are excited about the potential self-driving cars have to reduce accident rates and to provide mobility for people who can’t get around easily”. Supposedly, when the vehicle runs out of juice, the driver will be capable of getting his auto upon one of these platforms in order to initiate the charging process.
