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Google's Waymo Completes Self-Driving Pacifica Minivan Test
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On Monday, Google parent Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL - Free Report) formally announced that Waymo, its new self-driving car unit—previously known as the Google Self-Driving Car Project—and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles have completed their highly-anticipated production self-driving test vehicles.
Waymo has specially modified 100 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans, which are currently being outfitted with its self-driving technology. The minivans required changes to the standard model’s electrical, drivetrain, chassis, and structural systems so that the Pacifica would be fully optimized for Waymo’s technology.
The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan equipped with Waymo's fully self-driving technology. Image: Waymo, Fiat Chrysler
The new modifications include a purpose-built computer and a suite of sensors, telematics, and other systems. The new Pacificas aren’t quite ready for the road yet, but are set to join the rest of Waymo’s self-driving test fleet in early 2017.
"The Pacifica Hybrid will be a great addition to our fully self-driving test fleet. FCA's product development and manufacturing teams have been agile partners, enabling us to go from program kickoff to full vehicle assembly in just six months," said John Krafcik, Chief Executive Officer, Waymo. "They've been great partners, and we look forward to continued teamwork with them as we move into 2017."
This partnership will likely help bolster Fiat Chrysler’s own self-driving technological efforts, which have been overshadowed by big budget rival partnerships like that of Lyft and General Motors (GM - Free Report) and Uber’s deals with Volvo, Toyota Motors (TM - Free Report) , and Otto.
"Our partnership with Waymo enables [Fiat Chrysler] 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," CEO Sergio Marchionne said in Monday's statement.
Image: Waymo, Fiat Chrysler
Fiat Chrysler is expected to debut a fully electric version of the Pacifica at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next month.
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Google's Waymo Completes Self-Driving Pacifica Minivan Test
On Monday, Google parent Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL - Free Report) formally announced that Waymo, its new self-driving car unit—previously known as the Google Self-Driving Car Project—and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles have completed their highly-anticipated production self-driving test vehicles.
Waymo has specially modified 100 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans, which are currently being outfitted with its self-driving technology. The minivans required changes to the standard model’s electrical, drivetrain, chassis, and structural systems so that the Pacifica would be fully optimized for Waymo’s technology.
The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan equipped with Waymo's fully self-driving technology. Image: Waymo, Fiat Chrysler
The new modifications include a purpose-built computer and a suite of sensors, telematics, and other systems. The new Pacificas aren’t quite ready for the road yet, but are set to join the rest of Waymo’s self-driving test fleet in early 2017.
"The Pacifica Hybrid will be a great addition to our fully self-driving test fleet. FCA's product development and manufacturing teams have been agile partners, enabling us to go from program kickoff to full vehicle assembly in just six months," said John Krafcik, Chief Executive Officer, Waymo. "They've been great partners, and we look forward to continued teamwork with them as we move into 2017."
This partnership will likely help bolster Fiat Chrysler’s own self-driving technological efforts, which have been overshadowed by big budget rival partnerships like that of Lyft and General Motors (GM - Free Report) and Uber’s deals with Volvo, Toyota Motors (TM - Free Report) , and Otto.
"Our partnership with Waymo enables [Fiat Chrysler] 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," CEO Sergio Marchionne said in Monday's statement.
Image: Waymo, Fiat Chrysler
Fiat Chrysler is expected to debut a fully electric version of the Pacifica at the upcoming Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next month.
Stocks that Aren't in the News…Yet
You are invited to download the full, up-to-the-minute list of 220 Zacks Rank #1 "Strong Buys" free of charge. Many of these companies are almost unheard of by the general public and just starting to get noticed by Wall Street. They have been pinpointed by the Zacks system that nearly tripled the market from 1988 through 2015, with a stellar average gain of +26% per year. See these high-potential stocks now >>