For a long time now we've been hearing about the Google self driving cars. They have logged over 700,000 accident free miles and have promised to be the car of the future. Autonomous vehicles have always been a milestone for futuristic living, and now with Tesla's Elon Musk promising a 90% autonomous vehicle in 2015, the race is on. Google has been working on their concept vehicles for years now, and are looking to auto manufacturers to make the vision a mainstream reality.

As far as specific dates go CNET is reporting that Google is looking for a partner to bring a fully autonomous vehicle to market in 5 years time. Google has been clear that they are simply selecting a partner that could take the idea and make it a reality, as Google itself does not want to become an automaker. Chris Urmson told the Wall Street Journal "We don't particularly want to become a car maker. We are talking [with] and looking for partners."

Google's plan for rolling out these self-driving cars has a number of steps along the way. First Google is seeking a partner to help them make a small number of more advanced prototypes or "betas" that are expected to be on the road in northern California sometime in 2015. Next Google is seeking a partner (perhaps the same one) to take over the manufacturing and design process. Google is not shy about its lack of auto experience. Urmson added in his statement "it would be goofy for us to try to replicate their success. What Google brings to the table is the technology, the software, and the hardware. They will leave the actual build up to someone else. 

When Google does release their self-driving automobiles they will reportedly have driver over-ride controls "for a while longer" but will eventually phase them out as drivers become accustomed to not, well, driving.