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Human error causes 33,000 vehicle accident deaths and 1.2 million car injuries each year. Can a computerized car really eliminate human error and make the roads safer?

Google recently announced that the company is testing self-driving cars – called autonomous cars by Google – on California highways. Initial tests have already demonstrated that self-driving cars are largely workable, eliminating human error while also increasing fuel efficiency and seamless coexisting on the road with conventional vehicles driven by people. Sebastion Thrun, the director of Google’s autonomous car project, announced that autonomous cars had completed 200,000 miles of driving without a single accident.

However, before these cars go into mass production or Google even announces price quotes on cars, questions about legal liability, insurance regulations, and artificial intelligence challenges remain. For example, human drivers can easily recognize a traffic officer telling drivers to take an alternative route due to construction.

And thanks to human instinct, we know that if we see a ball roll out into the middle of a neighborhood street, a child will likely be close behind. Autonomous vehicles lack this level of instinct, reasoning and response.

When was the last time you drove exactly the speed limit? Did you roll through a stop sign this morning on your way to work? Human drivers frequently bend traffic rules, which could lead to frustration for passengers in a polite, law-abiding autonomous vehicle. After all, there’s no need to sit forever at a four-way stop if you’re the only car there. Without the ability to reason, passengers could be a very long (and unnecessary) wait at the stop sign!

Legal liability and insurance regulations may pose an even bigger challenge to autonomous vehicles. Can car manufacturers be held responsible in the event of an accident? What about the cost of car insurance – a system that currently is based partially on driving records? And finally, if a police officer pulls over an autonomous vehicle, who gets the ticket?

The Chief Counsel of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, O. Kevin Vincent, said that the federal government currently does not have enough information to make a determination regarding the regulation of driverless vehicles. And while autonomous cars may still be years away from hitting the mass market, thanks to Google’s lobbying efforts, however, some states are already beginning to legalize these vehicles.

Nevada passed a law last year legalizing driverless vehicles, and similar laws have been introduced in the Florida and Hawaii legislatures. With Google’s home base in Silicon Valley, a California law is reported to be in the works.

Car safety ratings and fuel efficiency are two major factors potential car owners consider before making a purchase. As initial tests indicate, driverless cars would enjoy extremely high car safety ratings, as well as increased fuel efficiency. But would these benefits be enough to convince car owners to chose an automated ride over a self-controlled vehicle? Tell us – would you “drive” an autonomous car?

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Infographic courtesy DanielRosen.com

Searching for a creative recipe to make use of last night’s leftovers? Forgot to adjust the thermostat when you left for work this morning? Did your kids leave the garage door open again? If you own a smartphone, then the solution is right at your fingertips. From smart refrigerators to wall-mounted temperature sensors, new appliances and home technology introduced at the 2012 International Consumer Electronics Show allows virtual management via smartphone apps. These home improvements are designed to help make homes safer and more energy-efficient.

Smart Home

The new home technology advancements are made possible in part by the rise of smartphone ownership. Today, the Pew Research Center's Internet and American Life Project estimates that 35 percent of American adults own a smartphone. Since consumers have smartphones with them nearly everywhere they go, it’s easy for a smartphone to act as a central home control panel, integrating home management apps into a consumer’s regular app lineup. This number is expected to grow dramatically as smartphone prices continue to drop. As more Americans own smartphones, consumer analysts predict the ownership of “smartphone home technology” will also increase.

John Burke is the general manager of Motorola Mobility Holdings Inc., a company that builds technology for cable companies and wireless service providers. Burke predicts that the rise of smartphone ownership, coupled with bundled service providers, will help spark the adoption of smart home technologies. Parks Associates, a consumer technology research firm, agrees, estimating that by 2014, more than 10 million U.S. households will have a remote home monitoring and control system.

"We've seen all the major operators in the Americas putting home security, control and monitoring in their offerings,” Burke said. A universal control for home security and monitoring is one of the most important homeowner safety tips. A smartphone allows controls for everything from the garage door to the thermostat to be in one easy-to-access place.

Smart Appliances

Many gadget-geeks can’t wait to try out some of these "smart appliances" in their homes:

Home energy monitor: Reliant, a Houston-based energy company, recently gave away 10,000 Reliant e-Sense Home Energy Monitors to early-adoption customers. The monitors take the guesswork out of managing home energy costs, allowing customers to precisely track and adjust energy usage. Other home energy solutions introduced at CES include a wall-mounted censor that tracks when homeowners leave the house, automatically adjusting the thermostat.

Smartphone-controlled garage doors: A two-way garage door opener, introduced by Sears Holding Corp.'s Craftsman brand, connects homeowners with the garage door via their smartphones. A wireless router on the garage door communicates with a password-protected app on the homeowner’s smartphone, allowing the homeowner to see whether the door is open and how long it’s been open. A simple swipe across the screen can open or close the door.

Smart refrigerator: Using a camera phone, homeowners can scan a grocery receipt or product. The fridge’s computer then tracks its own contents and notifies owners when the milk is about to expire or what recipes (based on current ingredients) would be good for a family member’s high blood pressure. At CES, LG introduced a voice-controlled smart fridge that allows homeowners to even check their fridge’s contents via a smartphone app. The fridge is part of LG’s new series of smart appliances, including a smart oven that monitors baking via mobile devices, a washing machine and vacuum cleaner. Sadly, the vacuum cleaner still requires a human to operate it.

What smart technology would you most like to see in your home?

People without children of their own often remark to me that "kids are a learning experience," usually after one of my kids does something adorably ridiculous like emptying a jar of pasta sauce onto the living room carpet. In response, I smile and nod, biting my tongue about how drastic the understatement is. Here are just a few of the life lessons I've been taught so far.

The Amazing Shrinking Domicile

If you were lucky enough to purchase a dream house, dream car or even just a dream diaper bag before your baby arrived, you probably wondered how you'd fill all the space (I know I did). Boy, did that "extra room" evaporate under the volume of clothes, toys and unidentifiable paraphernalia that started arriving during the baby shower and just never stopped.

Lesson learned #1: You can never have enough space or be too prepared with a baby on board. 

By the Seat of Your Pants. Regardless of whether you read every last parenting book or you decided to more or less wing it, chances are you had some idea that you'd know what you were doing when the time came; an idea that promptly flew out the window for me when my beautiful little monsters took up residence. But everything turned out okay because I realized that I actually was capable of dealing with marbles in the garbage disposal or toys down the toilet. Plus, having a homeowners insurance policy helps give me peace of mind. 

Lesson learned #2: Admitting that you might not know what you’re doing but that you’re doing your best isn’t too bad after all. 

Drive Me Crazy. The job of driving has never been harder: I can't be the only person who's endured an in-car screaming session caused by a dropped "lucky penny" or the distribution of the wrong flavor of juice. Still, you'll find yourself battling through it somehow and end up as a safer driver than your pre-child self could ever imagine.  Not to mention the fact that you’ll become much more aware of other drivers. I can see a teenager texting and driving from three miles away. And never again will I talk on the phone while driving – I can’t believe I ever did!

Lesson learned #3: Keeping harmony in the car deserves the Nobel Peace Prize.

The Sands of Time. When you're up at midnight trying to get your aspiring opera singer to fall asleep, the minutes might drag; but you'll find the rest of your time with your child fast-forwarding at warp speed. Before you know it, you'll be shelling out big bucks for college. All you can do is take plenty of pictures and videos - the more embarrassing, the better - and hang on for the ride.

Lesson learned #4: The days are long but the years go fast so cherish every moment like it’s your last.

Unconditional Love. If a friend suffered the occasional five alarm diaper explosion, spewed the contents of your best culinary creations onto the table, and halted the functioning of your household because of a refusal to put on shoes, the friendship would probably die pretty quickly. It would be a lot to deal with even from a much-loved spouse. But when it comes to my kids, I've happily dealt with all this and more, just because.

Lesson learned #5: Motherhood is one of the greatest gifts. Sure it’s crazy and messy at times, but in the end well worth it.

Bye-Bye Bubble Bath. If you enjoy taking the occasional peaceful moment by yourself, you might want to stock up before your baby arrives. Because afterwards, you'll never get a moment to yourself again. Never. So don’t count on being able to take a leisurely soak in the tub. And you can pretty much forget about candles too.

Lesson learned #6: Embrace and take advantage of being together 24/7 with your family. Your kids will be out of the house more quickly than you'd like.

My Precious. Before we had kids, there were certain possessions that I really preferred to stay in a whole, undamaged form. That's not a realistic expectation now that I've got the equivalent of hurricanes on legs living in my household. Your furniture, your pets, your jewelry, and especially your electronics; none of it will ever be safe from little fingers bent on destruction.

This gave me added incentive to stop buying nice things now and put the money toward a college fund. Saving money is so important when you have little ones, especially a set of twins that will be entering college at the same time. All it takes is a few dollars to start. Think of it like any other planned expense and before you know it the kids will be grown – and so will your college savings plan.

Lesson learned #7: Helping your child secure their future is one of the best gifts you can give.

To Sleep, Perchance to Dream. Yeah, perchance to get more than half of the recommended daily total of forty winks. If this is your first experience with child-rearing, you might think that the worst is over once your little one figures out how to sleep through the night. Not so. According to a National Sleep Foundation survey, you can pretty much count on never sleeping well again.

Lesson learned #8: Keep lots of coffee on hand!

Get ready for more pain at the pump (and in your wallet) this year. Reports suggest that gas prices in 2012 again may climb above $4 per gallon in much of the country. While skyrocketing gas prices are hardly the best way to ring in the New Year, you can keep rising costs in check—and even save money on gas)—by making simple changes in your driving habits. Here’s what to do:

Accelerate less, drive more. Thanks to the simple laws of physics, cars use the most gas as they accelerate. Gentle braking—or avoiding the brakes all together—is the best way to prevent unnecessary acceleration and manage gas consumption. In stop-and-go traffic, leave extra distance between your car and the car in front of you. Doing so will allow the car to gently (and safely) coast, which is preferable to slamming on the brakes and then flooring the accelerator to start moving again.

Slow down. Speeding on the highway can be a tough habit to break, but it’s worth every penny to do so. In fact, slowing from 70mph to 65mph can reduce fuel consumption by up to 7 percent. And decreasing speeds from 65mph to 55mph can save you even more.

Empty out your trunk. Driving around with extra gear in your trunk weighs down your car. Carrying your golf clubs? Storing extra suitcases? If you truly want to get serious about how to save gas when driving, empty everything out aside from your emergency roadside kit.

Remove your luggage rack. Unless you are currently using your ski, bicycle or luggage rack, dismount it. Even the most aerodynamic racks add wind resistance, which decreases your fuel efficiency.

Rethink your commute. The more time you spend in stop and go traffic, the more gas you’ll burn... and the more money you'll be spending. Rethink your daily commute and choose secondary roads to avoid heavy traffic or stoplights. Remember, the shortest route is not always the most fuel-efficient.

Downsize your rental. A smaller car will always have greater fuel economy thanks to its smaller mass. You may not be able to trade in your family car at home, but if you’re traveling and have the option to rent, opt for a smaller vehicle. You’ll have just as much fun on vacation, and you’ll have a little extra change in your pocket to enjoy the sights.

Straighten up. Improper alignment not only wears your tires faster, but it also causes your engine to work harder—burning more gas. The next time you get your oil changed, ask to have your tires aligned.

Check your tire pressure. Under-inflated tires, like misaligned tires, cause your engine to burn more gas. In fact, one out of every four cars may be driving with slightly deflated tires. Even minor under-inflation can cost up to six cents per gallon in lost efficiency. Check your owner’s manual for the proper inflation.

Drive less. Spend every day behind the wheel? Rethinking your driving habits can help you save money. When running errands, park your car in one central place and walk to different stores, rather than driving around the same shopping center. Make one day each week your “car-free” day. Walk, bike or take public transportation. Set up a weekly commute with coworkers or friends. If you’re not driving, you’re not spending money on gas!

When I first got my own place, I felt overwhelmed by the mountain of monthly bills I was responsible for. Paying for rent, cable, Internet, groceries, car insurance and student loan payments added up fast—and that’s not including my social tab! So when my company gave me the option of enrolling in its 401(k) plan, I was hesitant to opt in. The last thing on my mind was how my life would look 30 years down the road. And with so many fixed expenses, it seemed impossible to set anything aside on my entry-level salary.

But after talking to a family member who’s a financial adviser, I learned that it’s never too early to start saving for retirement. Here’s why:

1. Free Money from Your Employer

Money doesn’t grow on trees, but it can really add up when your employer sends some extra your way. Many employers will match the dollar amount you put toward your 401(k) —some match 100 percent of your contributions, but most will match a portion of what you contribute. With a match program, not only will you have more money going into your 401(k), the money you do have will accrue more interest.

2. Tax Benefits

Having a 401(k) can lower your taxable income. The contributions you make to your 401(k) happen pre-tax—the income isn’t taxed until the benefits are paid out to you later in life. This allows your money to compound more quickly, which means you save more money in the long run. (I can already see the dollar signs…)

3. Flexibility

If you change jobs, you can usually move your 401(k) over to another retirement account fairly easily. When you’re unsure of where the future will take you, like most of the 20-somethings I know, that’s a huge plus.

4. The Future Matters

You may spend a third of your life in retirement, so in order to maintain a solid standard of living, you’ll need more money than you think. Experts recommend that you start saving at least 6 percent of your salary in your 20s and increase that amount (even if just a tiny bit) every year. If you start saving now, you won’t have to set aside as much later on to reach your retirement goals.

While it seemed unimportant at first, I totally get why it makes sense to start saving for the future now. It’s about securing a future for yourself. And there’s nothing like the satisfaction of feeling young, free—and financially responsible.