Design & Prototyping of Google’s self-drive cars
Initially, the project of developing Google’s self-drive car was headed by Sebastian Thrun, a German national who is specialized in the programing and robot development and was previously the director of Stanford artificial intelligence laboratory. In addition, the team that had the responsibility of creating the system consisted of approximately fifteen engineers who are employed professionals in the Google Company. Generally all fifteen engineers who has contributed in the development of Google’s self-drive car together with the team leadership does not comprise of any female. Generally, very few women participate in designing and production of vehicles (Anderson, Karlyn, Sorensen, Samaras and Oluwatola, n.d.). The contribution and subsequent involvement of women in designing of cars have been very limited. Several researches as to why the involvement of women in car designing is very limited have concluded that women show very little interest in car design but however prefer designing in domestic consumer industries. Google presented six Toyota Prius cars, audit and three Lexus car for testing; each of them had a driver in the cabin accompanied by one of the engineers who participated in the development of the system (Anderson, Karlyn, Sorensen, Samaras and Oluwatola, n.d.).
Our Self-Driving Prototypes Rely On Their Sensors and Software to Drive Themselves. ©Google 2014.
Manufacture and production
Currently, Google have created their own car manufacturing company specifically for the purpose of expanding their production of autonomous vehicles. However, up to date, all self- drive cars that has been built are always assembled by Google’s manufacturing partner Roush. This is an engineering firm located in the outskirts of Detroit. However, the expanding production will require more space and therefore a larger facility forcing Google to take an initiative to launch its own company.
With Google creating its own company to expand on its production of autonomous vehicles, there is likelihood that diverse professionals will be employed in the company to participate in the production of these cars in one way or another. However, the past Google’s self-drive cars that have been produced have been produced under a project headed by German robots professional and programmer Sebastian Thrun, a team of fifteen engineers working for Google have been responsible for the development of Google self-drive cars. Unfortunately up to date, the Google team that has been involved in the development of self-drive cars has not had even a single woman as part of the team. All the engineers together with the team’s leadership have only been composed of males.
Google’s self-driving car being built in Detroit. ©Google 2014.
Working environment
As accompany, Google provides solution to complex life issues. The commitment of the company to produce self- drive car is part of their commitment to provide solution to the complex transport issue which have posed several risks and caused deaths of many people. However, what has made the company unique is the work place environment that its employees enjoy. The company has a culture that encourages innovation and creativity among its employees. On the other hand, Google’s work place culture promotes a diversified work place environment bring together individuals with different talents. In terms of benefits, the employees of Google have the kinds of benefits expected from a big company. The employees enjoy a lucrative health insurance policy, retirement benefits among other benefits. The benefits are initiated to ensure that the employees of the company including the Google engineers are well -motivated and that they are physically and emotionally healthy. The company has regulations guiding their employee’s safety ensuring that the engineers involved in the production of self- drive cars always adhere to safety standards which is beneficial for their health. In this respect, it is true that the Google employees involved in the manufacture of self- drive cars enjoy lucrative working environment.
Materials used in production of Google’s self-derive cars
There are several materials used by Google engineers in the production of self-drive cars. In approximation, a total of one hundred and fifty thousand dollars is used in the manufacture of equipment used in the manufacture of each self-drive car. An additional seventy thousand dollars is used in the development of the remote sensing technology which is used by these self- drive cars to calculate the distance. Bosch Company is the main supplier of Google supplying the company with various materials that are required in the production of these self-drive cars. Some of the materials supplied to Google include; breaks, fuel systems, starter motor among other things.
Marketing
Even though Google has not officially began selling their self- drive cars to the public, the company is considerably trying to make their new technological cars popular through marketing. The marketing strategy does not specify any particular gender but rather target every possible car consumer either male or females. Google engineers have model and designed the car in way that it can be used by both genders without any problem or specific consideration. In this respect the marketing strategy of Google significantly aims to increase the popularity of their current generation car to any possible car user.
Sales
Generally Google have not made any sales in relation to their self – drive cars. The company holds that there are still several barriers preventing the sales of the cars to the public. Currently, Google engineers company is still trying to find out how possibly the car can effectively drive itself. In addition, May nations have not adopted laws that encourage the sales of these cars. On the other hand, there is still limited production of these cars. Generally, Google expects to increase the production of these cars and avail them for dale within public domain by the end of this year.
User support
Rolling out the autonomous self-drive cars in the market requires that there be sufficient logistics through which users of these vehicles can possibly have support. Google Company is rolling out support centers where it will provide its users with necessary support required while using these cars. The company is also setting support lie where their autonomous car consumers can relatively receive support through phone calls.
Maintenance
Because of the complex technological components fixed in their self-drive cars, maintenance of these cars is best done by professionals. Google Company is creating service centers where these cars can be maintained. In addition, Google is working in a collaborative program with other companies such as Toyota, Mercedes which will involve training different professionals about maintenance of these cars. This collaborative approach will make it easier for the user of these cars to receive maintenance services at various places and in a cost – effective way. This collaborative approach is based on the aft that most of the motor vehicles manufacturing companies are also advancing their technological creativity to launch autonomous vehicles which are expected to be fully in market by 2030.
Recycling
Even though Google is a member of recycling center in wellington where it can recycle most of the parts of the cars, the company does not deny their customers to use any other recycling company at their disposal. Most parts of the Google’s self-drive car can be recycled such as the body which can be smelted into other metallic components (Anderson, Karlyn, Sorensen, Samaras and Oluwatola, n.d.).
