Google 's new driverless-car prototype is downright hugable . The company unveiled its latest self-driving vehicle on Monday , and it looks like a cartoon koala crossed with a smart car wearing a fez . Unlike the mock-up car Google first shared in May , this version is fully functional . It even has real headlights . The round , white and gray car is designed without permanent driving tools like a gas pedal or wheel . However , to comply with California state law , there are still removable , temporary controls for the required `` safety driver '' -- a real person who needs to be in the car and ready to take over in an emergency . The goal is to eventually remove any interior controls so that passengers can take a nap or knit while the car does all the work . Google 's self-driving car team will continue to test the vehicle on a private track in California , where it works its way around traffic lights and mock construction zones . Google has said it 's interested in launching a pilot program for the cars in the coming years . When the tech company first started experimenting with self-driving technology , it modified existing cars , like a Toyota , Audi and Lexus , by adding multiple cameras and sensors and an onboard computer . Now Google has moved on to making its own car from scratch . The car 's dome-like shape is optimal for giving sensors the widest field of view . A car could help put people 's minds at ease about the controversial technology . Before self-driving cars can start ferrying us to work , companies need figure out ethical issues ( does it hit a deer or crash into the median ? ) , improve basic driving functions , and work with governments on legislation to allow driverless cars on all roads . Google is just one of many companies developing driverless car technology . Universities and major auto manufacturers such as BMW and Mercedes are working on similar vehicles . Google hopes to have its version on the road by the end of the decade .
Google debuted its new , fully functioning driverless car prototype . The round white car still includes temporary manual controls for a back-up driver . While cute , the vehicle still has many serious issues to address before it can hit public roads .