Photo: Google
What happens when you let computer geeks create a car? It will look like a blobby fish and it won’t come with physical controls, but it will be able to drive itself. At least that’s how Google’s self-driving car looks and works. But that will soon change if the company wants to begin full on-road testing.
Earlier this year, Google put up quite a show by demonstrating it’s self-driving bubble car capabilities. It had no steering wheel or pedals and everything happened in an enclosed area.
The company hasn’t tested the car on public roads so far and according to California’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), that isn’t actually allowed regarding the current characteristics of the “iDriveMyself” bubble car.
New regulation for self-driving cars says these type of vehicles must also come fitted with classic controls (steering wheel, pedals) so that the driver can take control in case something goes wrong.
Whether it will fit them with some tiny controls or not, the company still plans to build around 100 such testing vehicles. And Roush appears to be qualified to assist the process, by starting with bits and pieces from existing vehicles to aid Google make its first autonomous fleet. Google also said it has plans to create self-driving trucks and motorcycles sometime in the close future.
The company hasn’t tested the car on public roads so far and according to California’s Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV), that isn’t actually allowed regarding the current characteristics of the “iDriveMyself” bubble car.
New regulation for self-driving cars says these type of vehicles must also come fitted with classic controls (steering wheel, pedals) so that the driver can take control in case something goes wrong.
Whether it will fit them with some tiny controls or not, the company still plans to build around 100 such testing vehicles. And Roush appears to be qualified to assist the process, by starting with bits and pieces from existing vehicles to aid Google make its first autonomous fleet. Google also said it has plans to create self-driving trucks and motorcycles sometime in the close future.
Google News