Gallery: Google's Lame Demo Shows Us How Far Its Robo-Car Has Come

  • Image may contain Transportation Vehicle Automobile Car Tire Wheel Machine Spoke Car Wheel Alloy Wheel and Asphalt
    Google
    01

    selfdriving-car-gallery2

    Google's self-driving car prototype doesn't have a steering wheel or pedals.
  • Image may contain Car Vehicle Transportation Automobile Wheel Machine Tire Spoke Car Wheel and Alloy Wheel
    Google
    02

    selfdriving-car-gallery5

    The prototype is specially shaped to give its radar, laser, and camera systems the best possible view of its surroundings.
  • Image may contain Road Transportation Vehicle Automobile Car Freeway Highway Wheel Machine Asphalt and Tarmac
    Google
    03

    selfdriving-car-gallery1

    But when it drives on public roads, Google has to install a temporary wheel and pedal setup, to comply with DOT regulations.
  • Image may contain Wheel Spoke Machine Alloy Wheel Tire Transportation Car Vehicle Automobile Car Wheel and Asphalt
    Google
    04

    selfdriving-car-gallery4

    Google wouldn't let us photograph the interior of the car, but we can tell you it's not very cool.
  • Image may contain Transportation Vehicle Automobile Car Tarmac Asphalt and Road
    Google
    05

    selfdriving-car-gallery3

    The seats and buttons look like they were pulled from a 90s era Ford Taurus.
  • Image may contain Transportation Vehicle Automobile Car Tire Wheel Machine Spoke Alloy Wheel and Car Wheel
    Google
    06

    selfdriving-car-gallery6

    Google's fleet of autonomous cars includes two dozen modified Lexus SUVs.
  • Image may contain Vehicle Transportation Automobile Car Alloy Wheel Wheel Spoke Machine Tire and Car Wheel
    Google
    07

    selfdriving-car-gallery8

    Combined, the cars have driven 1.2 million miles in autonomous mode on public roads.
  • Image may contain Road Tarmac Asphalt Light Traffic Light Transportation Vehicle Automobile Car and Zebra Crossing
    Google
    08

    selfdriving-car-gallery7

    And they cover 10,000 more miles every week.
Read More
The Best Ski Clothes for Staying Warm and Having Fun
From weatherproof jackets and pants to puffers, gloves, and socks, WIRED’s winter sports experts have you covered.
Chris Haslam
The Best Automatic Litter Boxes Tested by Our Spoiled Cats
With these high-tech automatic litter boxes, gone are the days of scooping and smells. Welcome to the future.
Molly Higgins
The Best Apple Watch Accessories
You finally caved and bought an Apple Watch. These are our favorite bands, screen protectors, and chargers to go with your new smartwatch.
Adrienne So
The Best Heart Rate Monitors Check Your Cardiac Health
These chest straps and watches will help you keep your finger on your pulse—and many other heart-related metrics.
Michael Sawh
Give Your Back a Break With Our Favorite Office Chairs
Sitting at a desk for hours? Upgrade your WFH setup and work in style with these comfy WIRED-tested seats.
Julian Chokkattu
The Best Kids' Bikes for Every Age and Size
The WIRED Reviews team has kids, and we tested all types of kids’ bikes. Here are our top picks.
Adrienne So
Death to Dry Skin. These Humidifiers Are Better Than Chapstick
From models for traveling to humidifiers that double as planters or air purifiers, we've tested a dozen of them.
Matthew Korfhage
The 11 Best Electric Bikes for Every Kind of Ride
I tested the best electric bikes in every category, from commuters and mountain bikes to foldables and cruisers.
Adrienne So
The Best Portable Chargers for All Your Devices
Keep your phone, laptop, handheld gaming console, and other electronics running with these travel-friendly power banks.
Simon Hill
The Best Podcasts for Everyone
Get your fix of tech, true crime, pop culture, or comedy with these audio adventures. 
Simon Hill
The Best Game Controller for Every Kind of Player
A great gamepad instantly levels up your play. These are our top picks for Switch, Xbox, PlayStation, and PC.
Brad Bourque
Our Favorite Merino Wool Clothes to Keep You Comfy in Any Weather
Merino is one of the best fabrics you can wear. We explain the different blends, what “gsm” means, and how to care for your clothes.
Scott Gilbertson