A few days ago it was reported that Google and Fiat Chrysler were involved in discussions over a potential partnership on self-driving cars. Another report has been published today on the matter and it’s claimed that the two companies are going to work together to put Google’s self-driving car technology inside minivans. If this is officially confirmed it will be the first formal partnership that Google inks with an established car manufacturer.
It was previously reported that Google and Ford were considering a partnership related to self-driving cars, but Ford has since said that it’s not willing to act as just a contract manufacturer, and besides that it has a pretty robust self-driving technology program of its own.
Bloomberg reports that in the first phase, Google and Fiat are going to create several dozen self-driving prototypes based on the latter’s Pacifica minivan. The car will reportedly be available as a plug-in hybrid with Google’s self-driving technology baked right in. Prototypes are likely to be announced at some point this year.
It’s also said that this arrangement between Google and Fiat Chrysler is not going to be exclusive and that both companies will be free to cooperate with other companies on self-driving cars. People familiar with the matter cited in the report that the agreement between these two companies could be inked very soon.
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