If the major automakers won't play, Google might design its own autonomous cars and work with contract manufacturers to build them, says a report on Jessica Lessin's blog. August 23, 2013 1:38 PM PDT Google self-driving car. (Credit: Google) The Google car may be more than a connection to the company's cloud and self-driving technology. According to a report from Amir Efrati, Google has been talking to automakers and contract manufacturers about designing and developing a self-driving car to its specifications. The Google-designed autonomous cars could further disrupt the transportation industry with driverless "robo-taxis" to get people to and from their destinations. Coincidently, Google's venture capital arm just invested $258 million in Uber, which connects human drivers with riders. Google has been trying to work with the major automakers on its self-driving car initiative, but hasn't had much luck so far. Continental, a German automotive supplier, is reportedly establishing a partnership with Google and IBM for self-driving cars, according to a report in the Frankfurter Allgemeine on Thursday. Whether Google becomes more like Tesla in building its own cars is uncertain, but the company seems committed to disrupting the transportation industry.
If the major automakers won't play, Google might design its own autonomous cars and work with contract manufacturers to build them, says a report on Jessica Lessin's blog.
Google self-driving car.
(Credit: Google)
The Google car may be more than a connection to the company's cloud and self-driving technology. According to a report from Amir Efrati, Google has been talking to automakers and contract manufacturers about designing and developing a self-driving car to its specifications. The Google-designed autonomous cars could further disrupt the transportation industry with driverless "robo-taxis" to get people to and from their destinations.
Coincidently, Google's venture capital arm just invested $258 million in Uber, which connects human drivers with riders.
Google has been trying to work with the major automakers on its self-driving car initiative, but hasn't had much luck so far.
Continental, a German automotive supplier, is reportedly establishing a partnership with Google and IBM for self-driving cars, according to a report in the Frankfurter Allgemeine on Thursday.
Whether Google becomes more like Tesla in building its own cars is uncertain, but the company seems committed to disrupting the transportation industry.
