Google puts blind man behind the wheel of its self-driving car [Video]

Google’s self-driving car. Is it really worthwhile, or is it an example of one of the products that should have been axed in Larry Page’s “more wood behind fewer arrows” purge?

Whatever your feelings on the project, Google claims it’s now travelled some 200 000 miles (321 868.8 km ). To celebrate that milestone, the company has released a video showing off one experiment it conducted with the car.

The experiment centres around a man called Steve who joined Google “for a special drive on a carefully programmed route to experience being behind the wheel in a whole new way”.

Yep, that’s right. Steve’s legally blind. Google says it organized this test “as a technical experiment”, but that it thinks “it’s also a promising look at what autonomous technology may one day deliver if rigorous technology and safety standards can be met”.

More wood behind fewer arrows? Here’s hoping you keep this one in your quiver Google.