Google Flushes Self Driving Car Project After 2 Million Miles Of Testing

Google has reportedly shelved its long-standing plan to develop its own autonomous vehicle in favor of pursuing partnerships with existing car makers. The Information reports that Google’s self-driving car unit — known internally as Chauffeur — is working with establish automotive names to develop cars which will include some self-driving features, but won’t ditch the steering wheel and pedal controls. The firm is already working with Fiat Chrysler, per a partnership announced in May, and that could be the start of others to come. Google first set out to do away with the steering wheel and pedals approach, but this backtrack is from Alphabet CEO Larry Page and CFO Ruth Porat who found the original approach to be “impractical,” according to the report. That’s despite Google’s autonomous vehicles clocking over two million miles of tests on public roads.
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MDarringer - 12/13/2016 12:01:20 PM

0 Boost

I wonder if Google will buy FCA at some point.

malba2367 - 12/13/2016 5:15:07 PM

+3 Boost

Smart move. Looks like Apple and Google have realized that starting a new auto building operation from scratch is not an easy proposition. Tesla has been at it for a while now and they still are unable to build cars on schedule and profitably.

SanJoseDriver - 12/17/2016 6:59:04 PM

+1 Boost

Except Tesla's cars have close to a 30% margin, which is being used to invest in development of future products as well as multi-billion dollar capital expenditures. Google's intention was never to build their own cars, the big play was always to sell the tech to auto manufacturers.