FCA, Google share self-driving ambition

Fiat Chrysler and Google engineers are working side-by-side to develop a self-driving minivan.

Automating the snappily-monikered 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid people mover marks the first time that Google has worked directly with a car company on A self-driving vehicle.

It aims to nearly double the number of autonomous vehicles that Google currently has on fleet.

Initial plans are for around 100 of the Pacifica Hybrids to join the cutting edge programme.

Google engineers will work with FCA’s top engineers to integrate the self-drive hardware, computers, sensors and software as seamlessly as possible into an essentially standard minivan model.

FCA boss Sergio Marchionne sees the project as an ideal way to accelerate innovation in the car industry.

“The experience both companies gain will be fundamental to delivering automotive technology solutions that ultimately have far-reaching consumer benefits,” said Marchionne.