One of Google’s self-driving Lexus RX450h SUVs is now testing in Austin, and another will arrive later this week.

“Since we started the project in 2009, we’ve tested our software primarily in Google’s hometown of Mountain View, CA, and it’s now time for us to get experience in places with different driving environments, traffic patterns, and road conditions,” says Google. “We also want to learn how different communities perceive and interact with self-driving vehicles, and that can vary in different parts of the country.”

“Each year, 1.2 million people die in traffic accidents worldwide, 33,000 of them in the U.S. 94 percent of accidents in the U.S. are linked to human error. In addition to improving road safety, vehicles that shoulder the entire burden of driving could transform mobility for millions of people, reclaiming the billions of hours wasted in traffic, or bringing everyday destinations and new opportunities within reach of those who might otherwise be excluded by their inability to drive a car. Just imagine: You could take a trip downtown at lunchtime without a 20-minute buffer to find parking. Seniors could keep their freedom even if they can’t keep their car keys. And drunk and distracted driving? History.

Over the last few weeks, our safety drivers have been driving our Lexus around a few square miles north and northeast of downtown Austin and creating a detailed map of the streets — things like lane markers, traffic signals, curb heights, “keep clear” zones, and other information that helps our car understand exactly where it is in the world. Over the last few days, our software and sensors have started doing the driving. Note that two trained safety drivers will be in the car to take over driving if needed; they also provide valuable feedback to our engineers about how the car is behaving (e.g., if it could take a corner more smoothly). Over time, if this initial testing goes well, we hope to map and drive in more areas of Austin.”

“Austin is special in part because we welcome new technologies that could help improve our daily lives, and we can easily see the potential self-driving cars have to reduce accident rates and congestion, and to provide mobility for people who can’t get around easily,” said Mayor Steve Adler. “We welcome the Google self-driving car team for this next phase of their testing and look forward to seeing them around town.”

“Keeping Austin’s roads safe is one of our highest priorities, so we look forward to seeing how self-driving car technology might someday improve traffic safety,” said Art Acevedo, Chief of Police, Austin, Texas. “Technology that never gets distracted or tired or irritable behind the wheel could make a real difference.”

“The technology supporting the emergence of autonomous vehicles on our roadway system is here. It’s mature and ready to be tested,” said LtGen Joe Weber, Executive Director of the Texas Department of Transportation. “As TXDOT focuses its efforts on the reduction of congestion and highway safety, we welcome and support Google’s autonomous vehicle test within the state of Texas. The successful integration of driverless trucks and cars on to our current and future transportation network could be a key factor toward achieving safe and reliable transportation.”

“From pedicabs to pickup trucks, Austin’s streets will give our self-driving car some new learning experiences so we can continue to refine our software and understand how different communities perceive it,” said Jennifer Haroon, head of business operations for the Google self-driving car project. “Austin has always been extremely welcoming to Google and to innovation of all kinds, and we know we can count on Austinites for some great feedback.”

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