Google has for some years been working on a driverless car, with impressive results. But the firm's current platform has reached a limit as to what can be achieved.
The Californian tech giant has made huge advances in an area of science and engineering that has more in common with sci-fi movies than current driving machines.
The most recent incarnation of the Google driverless car is rather cute and cartoon-like in appearance, re-enforcing the idea that this vehicle is both safe for the passenger and safe for the pedestrian. In the unlikely event of a collision with a person, the foam-covered front and flexible windshield should help minimise injuries.
But the fact that the car is limited to 25mph is perhaps the biggest safety feature.
The real magic, however, is the array of sensors on board. A GPS system ensures the car knows its rough location, while radar, lasers and cameras ensure the car can 'see' all around it, pinpointing other cars, pedestrians and even deciphering road makings and signs, as well as identifying traffic lights.
At present, only Google engineers have been testing the car, but as time goes on and the software is improved, the vehicle will be tested with ordinary people on board.
In its current state, it is perhaps more like an automatic taxi, rather than a car for the public to buy and travel in. Passengers use their mobile phone to summon the vehicle, at which point the pick-up and drop off points are entered. The car has an emergency stop button – but that’s about it as far as passenger-input is concerned.
The driverless car project has reached an exciting phase, but it will be some time before you can buy annual breakdown cover for your Google car – and an equally long time before it threatens the livelihoods of taxi drivers and chauffeurs!
Breakdown Cover from 
