Chrysler and Alphabet subsidiary show autonomously driving minivans

Chrysler and Alphabet subsidiary Waymo have ready the first hundred Pacifica minivans that can take to the road autonomously. Early next year, the vehicles will make their first test drives at select locations in the United States.

Fiat Chrysler and Waymo have been working on prototypes for some time, then as a Google company, but with the new versions of the Pacifica minivans, the technology for autonomous driving is more integrated into the car. Sensors have been incorporated into the bumpers and spoiler on the roof, and there is also an element with rotating lidar on the roof, similar to that of the cars that Google itself previously produced.

Chrysler and Waymo previously held tests in Michigan, Arizona and California, involving 200 hours of driving in ‘extreme weather’. The vehicles now on display will hit the road early next year, presumably in the same states.

Waymo already has a fleet of 60 vehicles on the road, mostly Lexus RX SUVs with the same technology. In total, the vehicles have traveled more than three million kilometers autonomously. Google divested its autonomous car development business last week. Google parent company Alphabet takes Waymo as a subsidiary under its wing.