Waymo and Chrysler Complete Production of Self-driving Vehicles

Waymo Chrysler Pacifica HybridWaymo, the driving company formerly known as Google self-driving car project, and Chrysler completed the production of 100 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans with full self-driving operations.

The minivans are said to integrate Waymo’s full self-driving system – including purpose-built computer and suite of sensors, telematics and other systems. The vehicles will  join Waymo’s self-driving fleet in early 2017.

“As consumers transportation needs evolve, strategic collaborations such as this one are vital to promoting a culture of innovation, safety and technology,” said Sergio Marchionne, CEO at FCA. “Our partnership with Waymo enables FCA to directly address the opportunities and challenges the automotive industry faces as we quickly approach a future where fully self-driving vehicles are very much a part of our daily lives.”

Waymo and Chrysler co-located part of their engineering teams in Southeastern Michigan – while testing was carried out in Chelsea, Michigan; Yucca, Arizona; and California.

Alphabet, Google’s parent company, announced Waymo as its own separate independent company just last week. Former Hyundai North America executive John Krafcik, who is serving as CEO of Waymo, made it clear that the company would continue its current work and remain a self-driving car technology firm, rather than an auto manufacturer.

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