Google researchers have been working on a secret car project that can drive themselves, using artificial-intelligence software.

Google has seven test cars that have driven a total of 140,000 miles in traffic. The cars are a modified version of the Toyota Prius and one Audi TT.

The automated cars use video cameras, radar sensors, and a laser range finder to locate everything around them and detailed maps are used to navigate the road ahead collected using manually driven vehicles. These data were then processed by Google’s data centers, when mapping their terrain.

Putting safety first, through out the testing there was a human driver behind the wheel to take control if something went wrong and a technician in the passenger seat to monitor the navigation system. Google also said they had notified local police about the project.

Google believes they can reduce the number of lives lost every year in road traffic accidents by half with this technology. According to the World Health Organization, that figure stands at more than 1.2 million lives.

This technology will also cut energy consumption and save people a lot of time.