Google quietly began operating the project with self-driving cars under a new subsidiary called Google Auto LLC, according to information from The Guardian.
The affiliate company created 2011 when Google replaced the self-guided Priuses with the Lexus SUV. In Guardian's published documents, Google Auto is listed as the official 23 automotive Lexus manufacturer, including those who have recently been accused of accidents. The name of the company Google Auto LLC was used to apply for a VIN.
By creating an autonomous company for the self-driving vehicle project, Google likely intended to protect itself from risk. If lawsuits already filed during the recent accidents go to trial, Google Auto will assume liability instead of Google, and the financial assets data of Google will continue to be safe, according to The Guardian.
Meanwhile, Google's newest cars feature: rear-wheel drive and powered by an 20-30kW electric motor, according to the NHTSA's paper.
Google has begun to test self-propelled vehicles on public roads in June, but this does not mean that cars will soon be commercially available. It still takes hundreds of thousands of test miles as cars are still in the experimental stage.
