Google and Ford might team up to make autonomous cars
Source: Christian Science Monitor
There are reports Google is in talks with Ford Motor Company over autonomous car development. The talks are said to involve a deal where Ford ends up building autonomous cars for Google, though its not clear if the cars are meant to be dedicated models for the tech giant or versions of existing Blue Oval products fitted with self-driving technology.
The information was first reported by Automotive News (subscription required) which cited a person familiar with the matter. The source said the talks have been taking place for some time and the first public announcement could come as early as the 2016 Consumer Electronics Show, which runs January 6-9.
The report comes just days after it was reported that Google was making its autonomous car unit a standalone business under its Alphabet umbrella. The new business is thought to be a taxi-like service without an actual human driver and would most likely start in confined areas such as college or corporate campuses or military bases.
Having an existing automaker supply it with cars would save Google billions in having to design a car from scratch, including passing costly and complex certification for things like emissions and crash safety.
Read more: http://www.csmonitor.com/Business/In-Gear/2015/1222/Google-and-Ford-might-team-up-to-make-autonomous-cars
Self-driving cars will be upon us before you know it.
Matthew28
(1,798 posts)Old people and people that are disabled would be very thankful!
whatthehey
(3,660 posts)Well over 1.8 million miles... If this were a clinical trial they would stop using the placebo out of concern for human life.
Cassiopeia
(2,603 posts)I hope its sooner rather than later.
However, I think the first place we see this technology will be on tractor trailers. I see 1 lead truck with a human and several autonomous trucks following.
mgmaggiemg
(869 posts)ford will be increasing their carbon emissions through their factories in china even tho they have the technology to just build affordable electric cars and support the infrastructure for it....they say they are helping the environment by also building electric cars...but their emissions will actually go up selling cars that run on oil...can't have it both ways...ford is a bad corporate citizen...