Google Will Drive Around in a Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid
An important partnership was hammered between Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and tech giant Google on the topic of the self-driving car.
Google’s team will work on their autonomous technology by using a fleet of Chrysler Pacifica Hybrids, chosen for its interior space. The Pacificas will first be tested on private roads, then move on to public areas. Testing should begin as soon as 2017.
A fleet of 100 Pacificas will be sent to Google for testing.
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In the contract, there is no mention whether both parties have to be mutually exclusive. FCA’s CEO Sergio Marchionne even said that they could start working with anybody else at a moment’s notice.
For Google, this partnership is the first step toward dealing with the automotive world. “FCA has a nimble and experienced engineering team and the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan is well-suited for Google’s self-driving technology,” said John Krafcik, Chief Executive Officer, Google Self-Driving Car Project. “The opportunity to work closely with FCA engineers will accelerate our efforts to develop a fully self-driving car that will make our roads safer and bring everyday destinations within reach for those who cannot drive.”
FCA thinks this alliance is a good way to learn more about the driverless car, since the manufacturer isn’t as advanced in this domain as some of their rivals.
“Working with Google provides an opportunity for FCA to partner with one of the world’s leading technology companies to accelerate the pace of innovation in the automotive industry,” said Sergio Marchionne, Chief Executive Officer, FCA. “The experience both companies gain will be fundamental to delivering automotive technology solutions that ultimately have far-reaching consumer benefits.”