Google Nederland
5 HN mentions · mentioned in 4 months, 2016–2021
1:55 · 8.1M views · Apr 1, 2016
Google Netherlands' April Fools' 2016 video presents a fictional self-driving bicycle for Amsterdam, framed as a serious product launch.
Used as a joke or as a reference to Google's April Fools pranks and the idea of autonomous bikes, not as something to learn from.
5 comments from Hacker News
Sure. I just wanted to run the numbers to see how it actually broke down currently, and what we could theoretically aim for. Light rail systems are useful in that they are efficient, and can readily move large amounts of people currently. Unfortunately their delivery characteristics are very rigid, and they have a very large up-front cost. An autonomous car system that supports easy ride sharing, and semi-public transportation through something like uber for busses can fulfill much of the same need, but without quite the expected density, but with the ability to deliver to just about any location. Both would benefit from a last-mile service . Sort of like arteries and capillaries in the circulatory system. Actually, you know what would be really cool with this? Autonomous bikes[1]. Not that you need them to drive you, but that you can rent a bike and have it show up for you, or rent it at the bus depot/train station, and have it return after you've reached your destination. 1: this video
Very impressive indeed! I remember a few years back an April fools prank on a self-balancing bike by Google ( this video ). Glad to know that it actually exists five years later
Denmark and the Netherlands both have lots of shit weather and enormous amounts of cycling. As titzer pointed out, the Bay area has neither. Weather is not a problem with a raincoat, rain pants, and the right attitude :) I always reach the office dry. Admittedly, my commute is fairly short by US standards (5km / 15 minutes), but that's not atypical for cities in Germany. Winters are no problem with the right tyres, as bike paths are cleared of snow by the city. As for luggage: Panniers are awesome. I have 30 year old Ortlieb bags (see [LINK] for the modern version), 40 litres of cargo volume right there. That's enough for my weekly grocery shopping and you still have space on the luggage rack for a basket or whatever. Oh, and to your last point: this video - like that? ;)
I found that at least one "local" Google is also introducing an innovative new concept today. Google Netherlands : this video Any more from Google <your country here>?
I think this article is a joke, making it a really good April fools joke. This is a real Google style April fools joke: this video