Google and Fiat Chrysler are reportedly in advanced talks about a partnership for developing self-driving cars. It would be the first merging of the Alphabet company's autonomous vehicle (AV) project and an automaker. Details of the coalition have not been reported.
In addition, the reliable source of the report has asked to remain unnamed since the talks between the tech company and automaker are private, according to Detroit Free Press. Google's 7-year driverless car project is part of its parent company's X lab.
The search giant has claimed many times it does not plan to manufacture self-driving vehicles, and hopes to license its technology to automakers. It started testing its robotic cars on highways in 2009 and on city streets in 2014. Google is road testing AVs in California, Washington State, and Texas.
The Alphabet subsidiary is testing two types of AVs. They include customized Lexus SUVs with on-board autonomous software and pod-shaped prototypes that look like Herbie the Love Bug.
Last spring at a self-driving car event Alphabet President and Google co-founder Sergey Brin told reporters the company wants to equip all of the world's vehicles with autonomous tech. However, the company stated on April 28, Wednesday that it would not comment on rumors of Google and Chrysler joining forces.
Fiat Chrysler would be a good match for Google. The Italian-American automaker has fallen behind rivals including General Motors and VW in developing driverless cars. In addition, Google could benefit from its know-how and experience in making automobiles
In addition, Fiat Chrysler CEO Sergio Marchionne has stated the company wants to team up with another automaker for autonomous tech R&D. However, GM and other companies have not shown acquiescence.
In related news, Google, Ford, and Uber recently formed a big lobbying group for self-driving cars, according to The Verge. The goal is to support AVs as federal regulators and lawmakers take up self-driving cars.
This new group that also includes Volvo and Lyft will be headed by David Strickland who once led the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). The Department of Transportation (DOT) has given the NHTSA an early-summer deadline to make a set of rules for driverless cars.