Google’s self-driving cars are now being tested in Austin, Texas

Google has brought its self-driving car project tests to a new part of America. A vehicle is now on the road in Austin, Texas.

The Google Self-Driving Car Project announced the trips on its Google+ page:

We’ve chosen Austin, Texas, as a new testing location for our project, and one of our Lexus SUVs is there now, with safety drivers aboard, driving a few square miles north and northeast of downtown Austin.

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…

Austin’s the home of SXSW and a pretty tech-savvy community, so it makes sense for Google to expand the project to its friendly surroundings.

Check the comments on the post and you’ll find plenty of people suggesting the company should try tougher terrain, like the snowy trails of Michigan. Is that the disgruntled sound of Detroit I hear?

Google announced last month that it’s testing the autonomous vehicles in California. It’s also releasing a monthly report on the progress of the project and, crucially, any accidents that happen.

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➤ Google Self-Driving Car Project [Google+]

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