SELF-DRIVING technology firm Mapless AI has begun testing its driverless cars at Pittsburgh International Airport.

Speaking with The U.S. Sun, Mapless AI co-founder Jeff Johnson said the trial phase will involve a human driver behind the wheel in case of emergency.

When asked how long Mapless AI plans to keep an emergency driver onboard, Johnson said: “This will last as soon as we have confidence that we can remove the driver.”

He added: “We would like to be deploying within two years or so, but of course, that’s all fluid and subject to change.”

Mapless AI’s cars are delivered to the airport’s parking lots through a version of driverless technology known as teleoperated driving.

Teleoperated driving allows vehicles to be controlled remotely.

This remote communication is achieved through encrypted data communication between onboard vehicle sensors and a remote driving console, MotorTrend reports.