Intel aims to cut costs of driverless cars

More cars have "Intel inside" when it comes to their infotainment systems. Now, with self-driving cars on the horizon, the computer chip maker is going further -- promising to help lead the revolution and bring down costs.

Intel just announced a new product line called Intel In-Vehicle Solutions, which will provide the chips and know-how for autonomous driving.

"We want to bring down the cost of these technologies in mainstream vehicles so everyone can benefit," says Elliot Garbus, general manager of Intel's Automotive Solutions Division.

At present, the sensors needed on self-driving cars like the growing fleet owned by Google cost tens of thousands of dollars. "We need to get them to cost tens of dollars," Garbus says.

He says huge progress will be made over the next decade, much of it driven by the possiblity of safety advances. He says 95% of accidents are caused by driver error. If drivers can get a half second of warning, some 60% of accidents can be avoided. With a full second, accidents are reduced 90%.