Google Introduces Driverless Prototype Cars It Designed

Google Inc. (GOOG) has designed its own self-driving vehicles that transport passengers at the push of a button as it aims to spread the new automotive technology, co-founder Sergey Brin said.

Working with automotive partners, the company plans to have 100 to 200 test vehicles that are fully autonomous with extra safety features, Brin said during a conference yesterday hosted by technology blog Re/code in Rancho Palos Verdes, California. Google, which until now had added its technology to other vehicles, plans to start testing the prototypes with drivers this year, he said.

Brin’s announcement comes amid a push to encourage the adoption of driverless cars, which aim to make roads safer with the company’s hardware and software. The two-seat prototypes, which have safety items such as additional foam at the bumper and a plastic-like windshield, are part of the company’s research laboratory called Google X, which is led by Brin.

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The prototypes let users ask for a destination address and then drives them to it, Brin said.

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