Google, Fiat Chrysler Join Forces For Self-Driving CarsGoogle, Fiat Chrysler Join Forces For Self-Driving Cars

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Search giant Google's plans for self-driving vehicles took a new turn with the announcement of a partnership with Fiat Chrysler (FCA), which will integrate Google's self-driving technology into 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans to expand Google's existing self-driving test program.

The minivans will be used later this year for Google's self-driving testing, more than doubling the company's current fleet of test vehicles. This is the first time Google has worked directly with an automaker to integrate its self-driving system, including its sensors and software, into a passenger vehicle.

Prior to operating on public roads, the vehicles will be tested by Google's self-driving car team on its private test track in California.

"Working with Google provides an opportunity for FCA to partner with one of the world's leading technology companies to accelerate the pace of innovation in the automotive industry," Sergio Marchionne, CEO of FCA, said in a statement. "The experience both companies gain will be fundamental to delivering automotive technology solutions that ultimately have far-reaching consumer benefits."

Google will integrate the suite of sensors and computers that the vehicles will rely on to navigate roads autonomously. FCA will initially design and engineer around 100 vehicles specifically built for Google's self-driving technology.

Google is working to develop fully self-driving vehicles that have the potential to make our roads safer and increase mobility. Vehicles in the test fleet have self-driven over 1.5 million miles on public roads across the country, including those around the company's home base in Mountain View, Calif.

"FCA has a nimble and experienced engineering team and the Chrysler Pacifica hybrid minivan is well-suited for Google's self-driving technology," John Krafcik, CEO of the Google Self-Driving Car Project, said in a statement. "The opportunity to work closely with FCA engineers will accelerate our efforts to develop a fully self-driving car that will make our roads safer and bring everyday destinations within reach for those who cannot drive."

American automaker Ford is also investing heavily in the self-driving car space. Ford announced fully autonomous Fusion Hybrid sedans will be taking to California streets this year, following the company's enrollment in the California Autonomous Vehicle Tester Program.

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Ford's enrollment in the program, which allows the company to test autonomous vehicles on public roads, is a further advancement of the company's 10-year autonomous vehicle development program and a key element of the Ford Smart Mobility game plan.

The company has also expanded its Silicon Valley facility from a 15-person office to a 100-plus-person research and development center, with the team conducting tests this year on different aspects of autonomous vehicle technology, including camera-based pedestrian detection and virtual test drives.

On the other side of the world, Nissan has begun testing its first prototype vehicle that demonstrates piloted driving on both highway and city roads, while in Germany, auto giant Daimler has also hit the highway, bringing an automated series-production truck to the A8 between Denkendorf and Stuttgart airport.