It turns out this odd occurrence was all in the name of science.

As part of an effort to master city streets, a Google self-driving car has been self-driving around D.C. for the past few days.

The DMV has proposed regulations.

Councilmember Mary Cheh (D-Ward 3) wants D.C. to prepare for the era of the self-driving car.

Google’s self-driving car has been a curiosity that until recently has been limited to the company’s Mountain View campus. But today two D.C. councilmembers got a chance to jump into one—and we were there to watch.

In a continuing attempt to curry favor with state and federal officials, Google apparently brought it’s driverless car to D.C. last week.