Google's self driving car
Google has been working on its own self-driving car and putting the vehicle through its paces. One of the interesting things about the car is the fact that it doesn’t have a steering wheel. However, a set of new testing rules from California’s Department of Motor Vehicles will change that. Now Google's self-driving car will have a steering wheel and a pedal system.
In order for people to test Google’s car, according to the new rules, a test driver is “either in immediate physical control of the vehicle or is actively monitoring the vehicle’s operations and capable of taking over immediate physical control.” In response to the rules, that will take effect on September 16, Google will comply by developing a small, temporary steering wheel and pedal system that can be used during the tests.
Commenting on the new trappings, Google spokeswoman Courtney Hohne said, “With these additions, our safety drivers can test the self-driving features, while having the ability to take control of the vehicle if necessary.”
Prior to the rule change, the self-driving car only had a screen that showed the vehicle’s route and buttons to start and stop the car. Google plans to produce 100 of its self-driving cars, that have the speed limit capped at 25 MPH, with testing on private roads to begin next month.
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