Google Unveils First 'Real Build' Of Self-Driving Car

Remember that odd little self-driving car from Google? Announced earlier this year, Google's autonomous car is one of their famed moonshot ideas, meant to alter the way we transport ourselves around town. What you may not have known is their original car was a beta build, more concept than car (it didn't have headlights, just a place for them). Now, the company is unveiling their first actual self-driving car, which they claim is very close to being road-ready.

The "new" car doesn't deviate much from the original mock-up. The overall shape is the same, and the styling hasn't changed much outside of being toned down and refined to include things like headlights to make it legal.

A sensor dome on top is still very pronounced, as is the "nose" on the front. Sadly, if you weren't a fan of the original design, this probably won't suit you either.

Reprieve may come with Google searching for a partner to help aid their auto ambitions. A recent report highlighted how Google was searching for someone to take the actual car manufacturing off their hands. Again, if you're no fan of this design, that's welcome news.

Google says the product shown is still in testing, so don't expect it to be in a showroom near you. The whole self-driving car thing is still in its infancy, which is punctuated by Google noting they'd be "spending the holidays zipping around our test track", with "safety drivers will continue to oversee the vehicle for a while longer, using temporary manual controls as needed while we continue to test and learn".

Source: Google