Google self-driving car does have wipers- not on the windshield but over its sensors

Google's self-driving prototype cars have reached Austin for public display at the children's museum 'Thinkery'.

The interesting feature about the self-driving car is that it doesn't have wipers on the windshield. Why should Google's self-driving car need wipers, when its sensors are the real eyes.

But raindrops or dust could cover its eyes (sensors). That's the reason, Google made a provision of wipers over its sensors (eyes) and not in the windshield, according to an employee at Google.

Just tell the self-driving car where you have to go. That's it, it takes care of the rest. Except giving the instruction of destination, Google's self-driving car doesn't need any human involvement until it reaches the destination.

Why should there be any wipers on windshield, when passengers don't need to see out of it. Google's self-driving prototype cars with steering wheel (for emergency operation) have been in road test since 2009 in the US.

Later, it launched steering-wheel less prototype cars early this year. They have been on road test in California. Google is planning to launch driver-less cars in the domestic market in next five years.

Passengers just need to sit inside without bothering about traffic and driving. Without a steering wheel, pedals and nothing to control the car, passengers might feel their lives in the hands of an unknown person. Moreover, this might give passengers without control over the car a sense of insecurity inside, commented some observers. 

Self-driving cars concept is wonderful at the research level, but in reality, it wouldn't feasible. Self-driving cars are marketer's dream, but a possible nightmare for passengers, observe some analysts. 

The automated cars available in the market can't run below 30mph making it's not possible on city roads. Some cars run at very low speed.

For instance, Volvo's City Safety runs at low speed only. Considering the Google's technical competence, the self-driving cars from the world's largest search engine are expected to bring in revolutionary changes in the automobile market. 

There are other technical issues as well. California laws allow vehicles with drivers only. So without drivers, the automated vehicles or self-driving cars can't be allowed as of now. Addressing this, Google has already started its lobbying exercise to bring changes in the rules and regulations.

According to Sergey Brin, co-founder of Google, self-driving cars will ease traffic hurdles and are ideal for transporting elders and physically-challenged persons. 

Brin further said that human error is a factor that causes 90 percent of 1.2 million road death globally every year. Imaging the kind of benefit we get if self-driving cars address this problem successfully.