The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
The Spokesman-Review Newspaper The Spokesman-Review
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883
Current Temperature
48°F
Current Conditions
Few clouds
View complete weather report
Subscribe now

Google to test self-driving cars in Kirkland

This file photo taken in 2014 shows a row of Google self-driving cars outside the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, Calif. (Eric Risberg / Associated Press)
Associated Press

KIRKLAND, Wash. – Google says it will begin testing its self-driving cars in Kirkland, Washington.

The Seattle suburb will become the third city to see the vehicles on its streets. The company has previously tested the self-driving cars in Mountain View, California, where Google is based, and Austin Texas.

Google said in a statement Wednesday its test drivers have been driving a single Lexus SUV in an area of Kirkland and making detailed maps of the streets. The company said when the self-driving car begins operations there will be a test driver in the vehicle to take over if needed.

Google has a large campus in Kirkland, located about 12 miles east of Seattle.

The company has concluded that human error is the biggest danger in driving, and the company wants to remove the steering wheel and pedals from cars of the future, giving people minimal ability to intervene.