's self-driving car projectnamed Ken Vosen as its first general counsel, following increased scrutiny of autonomousvehicles due to an increase in crashes involving such vehicles, Reuters reportedJuly 11.

The appointmentof a general counsel could be a sign that the Alphabet Inc.unit is preparing to make its self-driving car business a separate company, accordingto the report. The programis currently part of the company's X research laboratory group.

Priorto joining Google, Vosen reportedly served as chief legal officer of environmentalanalysis firm The Climate Corp., a unit of Monsanto Co. Google also appointed TimPapandreou to work on partnerships. Papandreou previously served at the San FranciscoMunicipal Transportation Agency's Office of Innovation, according to the report.