Macro Insider reports that Google has taken the wraps off what it deems the very best Christmas gift it has received this year: the first totally functional prototype of its self-driving auto. The car or truck, comprehensive with headlights, a redesigned LIDAR method and a new paint job, will be up for testing on the roads of Northern California in 2015.
“We’ve now placed all those systems together in this totally functional automobile — our 1st full prototype for completely autonomous drive,” mentioned Google in a Google+ post. “We’re going to be spending the holidays zipping around our test track, and we hope to see you on the streets of Northern California in the new year.”
“We don’t particularly want to turn out to be a vehicle maker,” mentioned Chris Umson, existing director of Google’s self-driving auto project. “We are talking [with] and looking for partners.”
Car or truck firm executives, on the other hand, are said to be reluctant to companion with Google due to the fact they are concerned about what Google’s impact could be on their personal efforts to create their brand.