A new self-driving car system - which is comparatively more advanced than the one driver-less car system being developed by Google - has been developed by a team of Oxford University scientists, led by Professor Paul Newman.

The team of Oxford University scientists behind the new self-driving system - which apparently will be implemented into existing cars - have used the system in a Nissan Leaf electric car and have test driven it on the private roads of Oxford University.

During the test drive of the system, the self-driving car could effectively navigate through rain, snow and other difficult weather conditions. Capable of yielding for pedestrians and navigating effectively through traffic jams, the test-driven car could reach speeds of up to 40 mph.

The new self-driving system makes use of 3D laser scanning linked with a computer storage which creates and stores maps of its surroundings. The team of Oxford University scientists intends developing an updating feature which will enhance these self-driving cars with the capability of downloading information when they pass one another on the road. In addition, the scientists also have plans underway to bring aboard a feature which enables these cars to download data directly from the Internet via a 3G or 4G data connection.

With the self-driving system is currently priced at £5000, and, as per Prof Newman, there is "no obvious legal barrier to using it on the roads" as long as there is a licensed driver in the driver's seat.