Google have revealed that they have developed and tested the technology for cars that can drive themselves. The automated cars use video cameras, radar sensors and a laser range finder to "see" other traffic, plus detailed maps for navigation. The mapping process generates very large amounts of data which are processed by Google's own data centres.
Google say that the cars have logged over 140,000 miles, and have even crossed the Golden Gate Bridge.
"Larry [Page] and Sergey [Brin] founded Google because they wanted to help solve really big problems using technology", according to Google's official blog.
"Our goal is to help prevent traffic accidents, free up people's time and reduce carbon emissions by fundamentally changing car use."
Although this is an experimental project, it illustrates the way in which Google thinks laterally in order to exploit and extract value from data. Watch this space.