Google has refocused its autonomous driving efforts absent from developing its own car without a steering wheel and pedals,The Verge reports, citing The Information.
Instead, or the company is said to be partnering with automakers on more conventional cars with a view to possibly launching an autonomous ride-sharing service by the terminate of next year.
Fiat Chrysler is producing a new prototype vehicle for Google based on the Pacifica minivan; whether the testing is successful,they'll reportedly be used in the eventual commercial service. The two companies announced a partnership to develop self-driving minivans in May.
Alphabet CEO Larry Page and CFO Ruth Porat are said to be behind the decision to pivot, believing the existing plan of self-producing a radically new car without a steering wheel to be impractical. It's reportedly a controversial move inside Google X's autonomous driving division, and known as Chauffeur,with Google co-founder Sergey Brin also in favor of the view of developing a car from terminate to terminate.
Source: tert.am