Google Expands Self-Driving Car Tests to Kirkland, Washington
Google’s autonomous vehicle programme will begin comprehensive testing in Kirkland this month, adding wet weather and hilly terrain to its data after years in California and Texas.
Google’s self-driving car project will begin testing its autonomous vehicles in Kirkland, Washington later this month, marking the third US city to host the company’s on-road trials. The move follows years of development and over 1.4 million miles of autonomous driving in Mountain View, California and more recent expansion to Austin, Texas.
The Kirkland deployment aims to expose Google’s fleet to new challenges, including hilly roads and regular wet weather. According to the company, these conditions will help refine the cars’ sensor performance and software in ways not possible in the predominantly flat and dry environments of its previous test locations.
Before the public trials, Google mapped several square miles of North Kirkland using one of its Lexus RX450h SUVs. This mapping work is standard practice for the company, providing detailed street data that supports the vehicles’ navigation and perception systems. The cars will now operate on local roads, gathering further data on traffic patterns, road conditions and the impact of seasonal rain.
Why Kirkland matters for Google’s autonomous push
Kirkland’s varied topography and frequent rainfall present a new set of challenges for Google’s self-driving technology. The company has stated that testing on hills will allow it to assess how sensors and software handle changes in elevation and road camber, while rain will provide data on sensor reliability and vehicle behaviour in wet conditions.
The expansion comes as US regulators consider easing some safety requirements to accelerate autonomous vehicle development. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) recently indicated it may grant exemptions for up to 2,500 vehicles industry-wide from certain standards for up to two years, aiming to support real-world trials and data collection.
Next steps for autonomous vehicle testing
With Kirkland joining Mountain View and Austin, Google continues to broaden the environments in which its autonomous vehicles operate. The company’s approach mirrors moves by other manufacturers and technology firms to gather more comprehensive data by testing in varied locations. For more on the industry’s autonomous ambitions, see Google’s push accelerates autonomous car development.
