Waymo and FCA Expand Partnership, Bring an Autonomously Driven Future Closer
Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) and Waymo revealed earlier this week that they’re expanding their existing partnership on autonomous driving technology. The expansion marks the latest in the significant steps Waymo’s made while working exclusively. FCA was Waymo’s chosen partner for the testing and development of class 1-3 light commercial vehicles. At first, the two companies will work to integrate the Waymo Driver software into the existing Ram ProMaster van, in a move specifically designed to target the movement of goods for commercial delivery clients. The highly-configurable Ram ProMaster platform will enable both Waymo and FCA to access a broad range of commercial clientele.
Both companies stand to gain from their partnership as they work to leverage their respective strengths and other technological advances with one another. Autonomous driving is important because it can address specific needs of commercial customers given the ongoing rapid growth in the goods delivery segment. Additionally, FCA also selected Waymo as its official partner for L4 autonomous technology — it’ll be applied across the entire FCA fleet once developed. FCA already works with Waymo to envision a future in which the movement of people and goods can happen thanks to the Waymo Driver.
“Our now four-year partnership with Waymo continues to break new ground. By incorporating the Waymo Driver, the world’s leading self-driving technology, into our Pacifica minivans, we became the only partnership actually deploying fully autonomous technology in the real world, on public roads. With this next step, deepening our relationship with the very best technology partner in this space, we’re turning to the needs of our commercial customers by jointly enabling self-driving for light commercial vehicles, starting with the Ram ProMaster. Adding Waymo’s commitment to partner with us to deploy its L4 fully autonomous technology across our entire product portfolio, our partnership is setting the place for the safe and sustainable mobility solutions that will help define the automotive world in the years and decades to come,” said Mike Manlet, Chief Executive Officer, FCA.
FCA initially partnered up with Waymo in 2016, making it Waymo’s first OEM partner. Since 2016, the two companies have worked hand-in-hand to safely integrate Waymo Driver into FCA vehicles. These days, Waymo and FCA are used to making self-driving history thanks to the proven and capable L4-ready Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid Minivan. The inclusion of Waymo Driver in the brand’s fleet made the launch of the first commercial autonomous ride-hailing service possible. Additionally, Waymo’s Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid autonomous fleet also made history driving across dozens of U.S. cities, while traversing diverse geographies and handling challenging weather conditions.
“FCA was our first OEM partner and we’ve come a long way together. The Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans were the first vehicles in our Waymo One fleet and, guided by the Waymo Driver, have now safely and reliably driven more fully autonomous miles than any other vehicle on the planet. Today, we’re expanding our partnership with FCA with the Waymo Driver as the exclusive L4 autonomy solution for this global automotive company. Together, we’ll introduce the waymo Driver throughout the FCA brand portfolio, opening up new frontiers for ride-hailing, commercial delivery and personal-use vehicles around the world,” said John Krafcik, Chief Executive Officer, Waymo.
The opportunities to create new technologies between the two companies are endless, it’ll be exciting to see what the partnership brings in the future. Follow Cape Coral Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram on social media to stay up to date with the latest news, including the many autonomous driving breakthroughs that are on the horizon. Visit us at Cape Coral Chrysler Dodge Jeep Ram and check out our latest Chrysler and Ram Trucks inventory, and schedule your test drive today!
Photo Source/Copyright: FCA/Waymo