Ford, Google Plan Autonomous Driving Venture Together
The fine, fine reporters at Yahoo Autos have learned that Ford and Google will announce next month a joint project to build self-driving cars.
According to the report, Google and Ford would spin off a separate company for the project, and Google would still shop around its technology to other automakers.
Both Ford and Google wouldn’t comment on Yahoo’s report, which said three sources familiar with the plans divulged the relationship ahead of their announcement at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas next month.
As recently as last month, Ford was touting its cars self-driving ability by roaming around streets in Michigan. This month, Ford said its cars were testing on California roads.
Google made clear that it wouldn’t be entering the carmaking business, rather that it would bring to market its autonomous technology for other automakers. Alphabet, which is the silly-named parent company of Google, said it would spin off its autonomous car business this month.
If true, the announcement by Ford and Google would give the automaker a significant boost in autonomous technology, ahead of what General Motors, Nissan and Volvo have already announced.
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles hasn’t announced what technology it may be developing for self-driving cars, and could be in Google’s Rolodex for a future sales call.
More by Aaron Cole
Comments
Join the conversation
How long before Ford walks away.
Alphabet is worried that Tesla will dominate them. Partnering with a real automaker limits their risk exposure.
Ford's FedEx account.
I like the news reports that the driverless cars are dangerous because they obey all traffic laws, and regular drivers aren't expecting that.