Google is building its own self-driving car that it hopes to begin testing later this year, Radio New Zealand reports.
In a blog post on Tuesday, the company says it plans to build about 100 prototype vehicles. Later this year its drivers will start testing early versions with manual controls.
"They won't have a steering wheel, accelerator pedal, or brake pedal ... because they don't need them. Our software and sensors do all the work," the blog said.
"If all goes well, we'd like to run a small pilot programme here in California in the next couple of years."
The top speed of the prototypes will be 40km/h.
The San Jose Mercury News called the car a "rounded, almost cuddly-looking two-seater".
The paper said the vehicles are battery powered. Safety features include as a flexible windshield and foamlike material covering the front.
