Chris Urmson, director of self-driving cars at Google, has told an industry conference that Google has started talks with car companies and assembled a team of global suppliers to speed its push to bring self-driving cars to market.

The suppliers named by Google included Bosch, which supplies power electronics and long-range radar to Google; ZF Lenksysteme, which supplies a new steering gear; LG Electronics, which supplies the batteries; plus Continental and Roush.

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Urmson also confirmed that Roush built the podlike two-seater that Google plans to start testing on public roads this year.

Speaking at the Automotive News World Congress in Detroit, Urmson said Google didn’t ask a large automaker to build the prototype, but intends to do so in the future when it seeks to commercialise its technology.

“At some point, we’re going to be looking to find partners to build complete vehicles, and bring the technology to market,” he said. Asked when that might be, he replied: “when it’s safe and ready.”

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