A future embracing self-driving cars is not very far away, according to internet giant Google, which already has a prototype on the streets.

In a new post on the company's official blog, the search engine provider showed off the software it has created and is testing in cars on the streets of Mountain View, California, where the company is based.

A self-driving car is just one of the futuristic projects that Google is working on as part of the company’s X Lab – which is where Google Glass, the company's wearable headset that links with a smartphone, originated.

The technology firm is also experimenting with weather balloons that contain a WiFi signal in order to bring internet access to remote parts of the world.

Facebook has also announced plans for a similar project involving remotely-piloted drones.

Swimmer rescued by dolphins

A British endurance swimmer has spoken of being protected from a shark by a pod of dolphins as he swam one of the toughest stretches of open water in the world.

Adam Walker is aiming to become the first Briton to complete the Oceans Seven challenge but was alarmed to find he was being accompanied by a shark as he crossed the Cook Strait between the North and South Islands of New Zealand last week.

However, he soon realised he had also been joined on the 16-mile (26 kilometres) swim by a pod of dolphins, which appeared to be protecting him. Mr Walker, who is based in Nottingham, wrote on his Facebook page: “I'd like to think they were protecting me and guiding me home!!! This swim will stay with me forever.”

Mum diagnoses mystery condition

A woman who suffered from a mystery condition that stopped her breathing every five minutes as she slept has finally been diagnosed 25 years later – by her mother.

Amanda Ramsay, 45, of Bristol, visited numerous doctors’ surgeries and consultants after becoming increasingly exhausted, depressed and overweight. She underwent “countless” blood tests, 30 thyroid tests and was forced to give up her job but medics failed to diagnose the cause of her chronic ill-health.

Finally, her mother, Maureen Ramsay, 70, googled her symptoms and found they matched the little-known sleep disorder Obstructive Sleep Apnoea (OSA).

Ramsay, of Bristol, suggested the condition to her doctor and, after a sleep study, was diagnosed with OSA. She has been prescribed a respiratory machine to pump air into her body, allowing her to sleep through the night for the first time in decades.

Singer receives black belt at 81

Country music veteran Willie Nelson struck a powerful note when he received his fifth-degree black belt in the martial art of Gong Kwon Yu Sul – at the age of 81.

Grand Master Sam Um told a packed presentation in Austin, Texas, that the “Red Headed Stranger” could hold his own against anyone. Nelson, who celebrates his birthday this week, said a doctor had just given him a clean bill of health, and the singer gives martial arts a lot of credit for that.

“I’m pretty healthy at 81. I think a lot of it has to do with the exercise that you do. I think martial arts is one of the best exercises you can do. Mentally, spiritually, physically, everything. I’m sure that’s helped.”

Looking for dentures on highway

A motorcyclist brought traffic to a standstill on one of Madrid’s busiest roads after he pulled over to look for his false teeth, which flew out of his mouth when he sneezed, according to reports.

Two police officers approached the motorcyclist and ordered him to resume his journey for his own safety and that of other drivers on the Spanish capital’s M-30 highway, Europa Press reported.

The middle-aged South American man complied – but it is not known if he found his dentures first.