Google Teams Up With Fiat Chrysler on Self-Driving Automobiles: A Major Breakthrough

Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV and Alphabet Inc's Google came into an agreement of building a fleet of self-driving minivans. A truly remarkable day since a Silicon Valley firm has teamed up, for the very first time, with a traditional carmaker in developing an autonomous vehicle.

On Tuesday, the two giant companies made a public announcement that Chrysler engineers would now cooperate with Google for the installation of sensors and software so that the 100 minivans can actually drive themselves as cited in a news article on Reuters.

Moreover, as Google expands real-world testing, the said vehicles become essential requisites. Though the company claims to own gas-electric hybrid vans in the future, it is not presently licensing autonomous car technology to Fiat Chrysler or any other corporation. Both Fiat Chrysler and Google are still free to work with other companies. Financial terms of the deal, however, were not disclosed.

The added vehicles, according to a news report on CBS News, are indispensable as Google tries to increase real-world testing in 4 cities: Kirkland, Washington; Austin, Texas; Mountain View, California; and the Phoenix area. The vans will be initially tested by Google on its private test track in California; nevertheless, the minivans will eventually make their way to public roads.  

"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," said John Krafcik, CEO of Google's project.

In addition, the FCA would be given an inside track to manufacturing vehicles for Google since FCA engineers would become highly experienced with what Google requires. However, neither Google nor Fiat Chrysler would comment on potential deals in the future.

FCA will finally welcome the opportunity to test Google's technology. The Italian-American automaker has also manufacturing expertise as well as factories which Google lacks.  Google, in turn, has laid down its goal of producing self-driving cars in the public's hands by 2020.