Opportunities presented by electric cars could draw Google into the car industry in future, according to its Executive Chairman, Eric Schmidt.
Google could venture into electric car market, reports Autocar agency.
Eric E. Schmidt, Executive Chairman of Google
Google is already heavily involved in the automotive industry through its connectivity and driverless car projects. But Eric E. Schmidt Executive Chairman of Google — a surprise spectator at Lord Drayson's electric land speed record attempt in UK last week — revealed that Google is spending heavily in research and development in ALL areas of the automotive industry.
"This is the beginnings of a new industry," he said. "History has proven that new technology thrives best in new companies. I figure that in 20 years' time, electric cars will be in the mainstream.
"The technology itself is simple and the application of it is advancing quickly. Eventually, people will have to look at internal combustion-engined cars and ask why we drive such complex vehicles. Digital cameras have replaced analogue cameras; the same will eventually happen with our cars.
"Ultimately, I don't know where Google fits in. But if we can get involved in anything that promotes new technology, innovation, materials and so on, then we'll be signed up for it."
For the past decade Google has been successfully working on driverless car technologies. These cars based of famous hybrid Toyota Prius are equipped with cameras, laser radars and GPS navigation systems A Toyota Prius modified with Google's experimental driverless technology was licensed by the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in May 2012. This was the first license issue in the United States for a self-driven car. License plates issued in Nevada for autonomous cars will have a red background and feature an infinity symbol (∞) on the left side because, according to the DMV Director, "...using the infinity symbol was the best way to represent the 'car of the future'."
Florida became the second - and California became the third state to legalize the use of self-driven cars for testing purposes on public streets as of September 2012
Google of course, has expanded well beyond just a search engine company. It has been willing to take risks in entering new markets, especially with its new Google Glass project. The tech giant hasn't been afraid of investing into any forms of new technology and electric vehicles would just be another component in its already diverse portfolio.
