Google Takes Self-Driving Prototypes To Texas For More Testing

Google is taking its driverless car technology on the road: after unleashing a new generation self-driving prototypes on the streets near its California home recently, the company says there’s a new driverless vehicles that will be tooling around Austin, TX.

Though it’s unclear exactly what routes the driverless car will be roaming, Google says the vehicle will operate a few square miles north and northeast of downtown Austin. A modified Lexus SUV has already been spotted on city roads, reports the Austin American-Statesman, with safety drivers on board.

“We loved how much Austin embraces innovation,” Jennifer Haroon, head of business operations for Google’s self-driving unit, told the American-Statesman. “From technology to music to food. We feel like that matches the spirit of both Google and the self-driving car project.”

The cars are all equipped with special software and sensors to detect objects as far away as 200 yards in all directions. Such technology comes in handy when the cars need to avoid potential collisions or move based on what traffic is doing around them.

“It’s important for us to get experience testing our software in different driving environments, traffic patterns and road conditions — so we’re ready to take on Austin’s pedicabs, pickup trucks and everything in between,” Google said in a statement. “Keep it weird for us, Austin, and visit our website to let us know how we’re driving.”

Google tests driverless cars in Austin… with safety drivers [Austin American-Statesman]

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