Google Begins On-Road Tests of Driverless Shuttle

This week Google Inc. launched low-speed tests of its fully self-driving two-seat electric shuttle on city streets in California.

The company says 25 prototypes have been built to date by Roush Industries Inc. in Livonia, Mich. Google expects to eventually produce about 150 cars.

The tiny runabouts are designed to operate robotically without a steering wheel or control pedals. But the first batch of prototypes are equipped with removable versions of both features and are being tested with backup drivers on board.

Google began testing the shuttles on a closed course in January. Street tests are limited to speeds no higher than 25 mph, which exempts the vehicles from meeting safety standards that apply to fully functional vehicles.