Google gets licence to try out self-driving car on Nevada roads

Autonomous cars are now a reality as Google has been granted a licence for a computer-controller Toyota Prius.

The licence will enable Google to test its driverless cars on public roads in Nevada without a driver. The company has previously tested the cars but with a trained driver present to take over should the technology fail.

The cars use video cameras, radar sensors and lasers to identify and avoid other cars on the road, while using detailed maps to navigate the roads. On its first drive Google's automated car took a trip down the famous strip in Las Vegas.

The Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) issued the licence and said it was the first of its kind issued in the United States.

A new type of licence plate has now been created, which is red in colour and features the infinity symbol. Speaking about the decision, department director Bruce Breslow said that the use of the infinity symbol showed that it was the ‘car of the future'.

"The unique red plate will be easily recognized by the public and law enforcement and will be used only for licensed autonomous test vehicles.

"When there comes a time that vehicle manufactures market autonomous vehicles to the public, that infinity symbol will appear on a green license plate."

While Google is the first company to be granted a license, the Nevada DMV said that other companies had also 'indicated their desire' to test and develop autonomous cars.