Google teaches self-driving cars to see emergency vehicles

Google's self driving car spinoff Waymo has been learning to deal with emergency vehicles in a special test session with police cars. The team worked with Chandler Police and Fire to put on a special testing day. Over the course of a days and night the vehicles -- equipped with a powerful suite of sensors -- observed police cars, motorcycles, ambulances, firetrucks, and even a few undercover vehicles as they trailed, passed and led the self-driving cars. Waymo's vehicles -- equipped with a powerful suite of sensors -- observed police cars, motorcycles, ambulances, firetrucks, and even a few undercover vehicles as part of the Arizona test. 'Whether it's the high shrills of a fire truck or the flashing lights of a police cruiser, it's important for every driver to recognize the telltale signs of an emergency vehicle,' Waymo said.