Google self-driving car, without brake pedals or a steering wheel

Latest Google self driving car. (via Google)

Google never ceases to amaze (or scare) us with their bright ideas. The innovation headquarters is at it again, this time bringing us a self-driving car that doesn’t have a steering wheel, brake pedals or accelerator pedals. Why not? Google says, because its new cars “don’t need them.” Need a lift? Just push “Go.”

The cars look like something you might find in a Dr. Seuss book – a cross between a pastel golf kart, smart car and Pixar’s Wall-E robot. The cute chauffeur even looks like it has a face, but don’t let it fool you; this driver means business, and safety is his biggest concern. Google said in its official blog that it believes self-driving cars can be a cure for the dangers of driving, especially for seniors. Seniors, youngsters and families alike can utilize self-driving cars to eliminate the dangers of drunk, distracted, blind or senile driving.

The passenger need only tell the car the destination and it will autonomously take them there, with the push of a button. The prototype is currently capped at 25mph for safety while testing, but features sensors at every angle of the car that can “see” hazards at a radius of more than two football fields. The prototype also offers manual controls, but the final version will not. The car drives itself and Google says that it intends to keep it that way.

The current prototype is a two-seater with sufficient trunk space, but its M.O. is safety, not comfort. The safety wagon does not feature a radio, personal assistant or any of the nifty bells and whistles that most new cars do, but it’ll feature basic dashboard controls (hopefully air conditioning is one of them) and seatbelts, of course.

Google is planning on releasing approximately 100 test cars in an early testing. If all goes according to plan, the company will run a pilot program in California to see how the cars fare on the open roads. Google said it hopes that bigger automobile manufacturers jump on board eventually to make the technology widespread, but the vision won’t be without it’s challenges.

The California Department of Motor Vehicles recently updated its regulations regarding autonomous vehicles and it will now be more difficult than ever for drivers to board the self-sufficient automobiles. All autonomous “drivers” will need to undergo a year long training program to get an official permit for handling this type of vehicle. Each passenger must also be considered an official autonomous vehicle tester and be on the manufacturer’s payroll to be permitted to drive, and that’s not all.

Each robotic ride on the road will be required to have five million dollars worth of liability insurance and riders inside the vehicles must remain behind the wheel at all times. If there is a glitch and the driver returns to manual mode for any reason, they are now required by law to report the incident.

Drivers of autonomous vehicles are also required to report all accidents. Google isn’t fazed by the new law and is keeping its plans moving forward. The early testing is expected to begin this summer, with the massive trial starting in the fall, if all goes well. 2015 may see the first commercial self-driving car on road.

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