A few days ago we wrote that there was strong rumors that Google was about to find a partner for the development of its autonomous car.
Google has since 2009 tested self-driving cars, and has invested substantial sums in the development of autonomous technology. But what strategy of the company is, it has not been so good to say.
Will Google develop all the technology, then let another manufacturer take care of the actual construction of the car. Or will Google do everything themselves, and produce their own car?
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Google’s own test car has far more modest goals than Minivan.
Officially cooperate
Now we have some more answers, Google and FCA (Fiat Chrysler automobiles), has officially gone out and confirmed that they will cooperate on autonomous vehicles. The cooperation will initially start with 100 copies of the new Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Minivan.
The agreement gives good sense for both parties. Google can fully concentrate on the autonomous technology, while FCA, which has been somewhat left behind in terms of technology, you get access to Google’s research.
Financial sums agreement is not mentioned, and it is not mentioned something that Chrysler could one day produce cars for Google. Right now it’s just a collaboration to test self-driving cars, and nothing more.
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The interior of the Chrysler Pacifica. The steering wheel is enough quickly dismantled when Google get their copies.
A competitor to the bus?
Chrysler will design Mini habits to make it as easy as possible for Google installing the computers that contain the autonomous software and sensors that make the software look what’s happening on the road around the vehicle. A spacious vehicle like a minivan also makes Google is testing a car, where it is easy to enter and exit, and which has sliding doors.
The last thing you might want to get tested, if Google and FCA considering launching his vehicle as a challenger to conventional types of public transport.
Chris Urmsom, head of Google’s project, said that just this could be a potential business model. He said that companies that carry passengers, perhaps rather buy autonomous minivans than expensive buses, and federal standards determine which types of vehicles cities can use for transport.
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Chrysler Pacifica is now gone on sale in the US, and is expected to sell well.
Dobler fleet
Chrysler Pacifica was first shown at the Detroit Motor show in January, and the regular version (not hybrid) went on sale in the US in March, but the hybrid coming later. Google already has the Lexus RX 450h in its test fleet, so Pacifica is not their first encounter with the hybrid world. Test Fleet of around 70 vehicles, with 100 minivans in addition, will more than double the fleet.
The ultimate goal is to get the world’s first autonomous car sales, and Google is working intensively together with Ford and Volvo (which is also far ahead in the area) to the federal government to try to put in place a clear and straightforward rules for self-driving cars. Right now there are a plethora of legal issues that must be overcome before the autonomous cars are taking over our roads.
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the case was originally published on Broom.no
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