[cripplecreek]

If a google car is at a light and it turns green, does the google car just go because the light is green or does it acknowledge the semi coming from the side, unable to stop?

Right of way doesn’t always mean the right or safe way.

[Hillarys Gate Cult]

And how does it handle idiots on the street nowhere near a crosswalk or looking where they’re going.

[Bulwyf]

Exactly, and I always explain that to the wife and kids.

Just because a light or an automated device says something is safe, you don’t just assume it is. You always look regardless.

[Nowhere Man]

If a google car is at a light and it turns green, does the google car just go because the light is green or does it acknowledge the semi coming from the side, unable to stop?

IIRC, MIT had a robot named "Shakey" that they made around 1966/69. They did an experiment on programming the robot with enough intelligence and judgement to cross a street. One of the things they programmed the robot to do is to determine if there are vehicles around before crossing. It would never cross the street until the programmers figured out to put in a subroutine to enable the robot to determine which vehicles are moving or parked.