Google Driverless Car is Just One of Their Many Ventures

Image: NASA-Imagery / pixabay.com

When I began a research about driverless cars, it came as a surprise to me that we might be seeing this as a common thing on the streets in maybe 10 to 20 years. While we do know that cars will eventually get to this point, what struck me was that this transition in the way we drive is very near - all thanks to technology that continue to pave the way for cheaper but faster car parts and computers.

And then I came across the Google Driverless Car. We do know that Google has already launched the Google TV and Google+ which are products related to the internet and computers. But cars? It is becoming clear that Google also wants a hand in what we ride on in the future. What other things then does Google wants to have a hand on?

Some of the answers rely on Google Ventures, Google’s investment arm founded in 2009. Unlike the products that have been mentioned above, Google Ventures’ ventures also tap into fields that range from bio-tech to healthcare to developing almost any kind of product. This, if successful, would eventually pave the way for Google to have a range of products that we will use even in the simplest mundane tasks.

Appreciating Google’s Efforts

Google’s efforts, so far, are commendable. They are pushing technology as far as it would go to make life worry free and easier. Their investments in Adimab, a company developing yeast-based antibodies, and Firespotter Labs, a company that seeks to introduce innovative products to the market, for example, are aimed at making us feel more secure and comfortable about our body and home. Their concern about sustainable living also showed when they invested in CoolPlanetBioFuels and Transphorm, companies that promote energy conservation and alternative fuels. It is worthwhile to know that somebody, like Google, believes in the potentials of these fields.

Future Thoughts

In the future, I wouldn’t mind if my baby’s diapers have “Google” stamped on it or even using Google charcoals in barbecue parties. What would alarm me, however, is that if I went inside a grocery store and all the things that I see are all Google products and those products alone. Let us hope that it doesn’t come to that. I hope that they provide us with more choices, not instruments that will eventually control our choices.

I would appreciate it more if we will have more choices in the future.