Report: Ford and Google in Talks to Partner on Autonomous Cars

Ford and Google are in talks to work together on autonomous cars, according to a report from Automotive News. The two companies have been in discussions since at least 2012, although it’s still unclear what type of car will develop from the partnership.

If it’s finalized, the deal will establish a joint venture that is legally separate from Ford. That way, Ford won’t be liable for potential problems, and Google can pair up with other automakers if it chooses, reports Yahoo Autos. The two companies will likely announce the partnership at the Consumer Electronics Show in January.

Ford, which just announced plans to test driverless cars in California next year, could potentially supply Google with its test vehicles. Google would save time and money it would otherwise spend on automotive manufacturing, while Ford would gain a stronghold on autonomous driving technologies. It’s still unknown whether Ford will design an entirely new vehicle for Google or give the company one of its current models that can be fitted with the necessary technologies for autonomous driving. Or perhaps the deal will result in something entirely different.

Neither Ford nor Google have commented on the reports, but it doesn’t seem so strange that the two companies are working together. In 2011, Google and Ford paired up on cloud computing technology that analyzed driving habits and searched for ways to increase a driver’s efficiency. Google’s early self-driving cars were also assembled in Detroit by Roush Industries, a company with strong ties to Ford. Incidentally, both Ford and Google are interested in using autonomous vehicles for ride sharing purposes to compete with Uber.

Source: Automotive News (Subscription Required)

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