Google car

Oct. 11-16

This information graphic on the new Google car ran on the New York Times online version and was posted on Oct. 10. The graphic gives credit to a photographer and explains the source for the information comes from Google. This is one of the few graphics I’ve seen that includes a Copyright.

This particular graphic is good in that it uses a diagram to depict the sensors on the car that allow autonomous driving. This is a good choice of the type of graphic to use because the main question most people are asking after first hearing about this Google car is, “How does it work?” This graphic visually conveys to readers how sensors on the car work.

While I don’t see any real weaknesses with the graphic, I do think it is missing some valuable information that would help viewers understand the new Google car. After viewing this graphic, I still have many more questions about the car: How and where was the car tested? What did the tests find? Is there video of the car driving itself? Does it HAVE to drive itself or is there a manual override? How long has this car been in the works? When do they plan to start producing the car? I think the graphic could have included at least some of these answers to better inform viewers.

The audience for this graphic is widespread because the Google car is such a new concept and everyone wants to know more about it. With such a new and innovative idea, the general public is very curious and will want to read and see anything they can about the new car and how it works.

The diagram of the car is an effective choice for this graphic as it answers the question most viewers will be asking themselves. It’s also a simple idea that centers on the car itself, which is the focus of the information. The blurbs are easy to read and he dotted line is easy to follow to see where that particular sensor is found on the car.