Google has unveiled a new version of its self-driving vehicle prototype, six months after its original mockup materialised.

The car is still in its early stages of development as Google continues to run tests on its private track. However, the search firm does plan to trial the vehicle on the streets of Northern California in the new year.

Safety drivers currently oversee the vehicle, using manual controls to ensure all the car’s features are given Google’s stamp of approval before it considers unleashing the car on public roads.

Prototypes of prototypes

Since the original prototype was released in May, Google has been fine tuning various car parts, all of which have had to be designed, developed and tested from scratch.

To give an indication of the strides Google has made over the course of the year, the company revealed that its early driverless car did not even have real, working headlights. Whereas it does now.

Contemporary systems like steering and brakes have had to be combined with self-driving sensor technology and thoroughly tested before even making it under the bonnet.

Not a manufacturer

More recently, Google has stated that it does not want to build the car itself. Instead the company is seeking the help of partners for when it decides the technology is ready to ramp up mass production.

A report in the Wall Street Journal quoted the head of Google’s autonomous vehicle project as saying: "We don't particularly want to become a car maker. We are talking [with] and looking for partners."

Google has said that it wants to begin testing a fleet of more advanced beta prototypes, built by manufacturing partners, early next year.