Google Sees Science Fiction Becoming Reality (GOOG)

Google (NASDAQ:GOOG) executive Eric Schmidt shared his prediction of exponential technology growth resulting in a science fiction-like reality. The possibility of driverless cars and small robots helping with day-to-day tasks could become a reality.

Internet translation services, voice recognition and other technologies have happened faster than anyone anticipated Schmidt said. Technological research into unheard of advances is happening very quickly.

“People who predict that holograms and self-driving cars will become reality soon are absolutely right,” Schmidt told the audience of the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona.

Although Schmidt is no longer CEO, he remains as the company’s primary representative. While he was CEO he focused more so shorter-term visions, nothing like what has been talked about at the Mobile World Congress.

He further talked about a technology that would enable virtual presence at various events such as concerts and presentations. This could be implemented through the use of small robots that are capable of voice and video transmission.

“In the future you’’ be able to dispatch a robot to each event,” Schmidt said.

Google has already began testing driverless cars and a few U.S. states are already forming regulations so they can be used legally on the roads. Nevada is the first state to list the requirements of testing driverless cars on state roads.

Nevada Governor Brian Sandoval has already taken a test ride in a self-driving Toyota Prius just last year. The Prius, which is being developed by Google, uses a system of sensors and radar that allows it to “see” everything needed to navigate. Of course, humans can override the function at anytime.

Google’s fleet of self-driving cars has already logged more than 200,000 miles according to Schmidt.

All of this future technology relies on devices, data and data services. “The web will be everything, but it will be nothing. It will be like electricity, it is just there,” said Schmidt. “It will redefine the relationship these people have in the world. In times of war and suffering, it will be impossible to ignore the cries of people calling out for help. In this new world there will be far fewer places for dictators… With information comes power and with power comes choice, and smarter resourceful citizens are going to demand a better deal for their communities.”

Posted by Dana Lindahl on 29 Feb 2012. Filed under Headlines. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.