Automakers partner with tech companies on driverless cars
After dismissing the idea in the past, the Detroit Three have been forging partnerships with Silicon Valley companies to speed the race toward driverless cars. Just in the past month, General Motors, Ford and FCA have all signed deals with high tech companies.
GM is partnering with ride-sharing company Lyft to develop a test fleet of self-driving Chevrolet Bolt EVs in California in the next two years. Ford has commissioned Pivotal to develop software for alternative mobility services. And FCA plans to build 100 Chrysler Pacifica hybrid minivans for Googleês Self-Driving Car Project.
Apple has announced it is investing $1 billion in Chinese ride-sharing company Didi, a move that has made some wonder whether Apple plans to develop an electric car.
Two assumptions underlie the partnerships, writes Brent Snavely in the Detroit Free Press: Tech companies donêt want to build cars, and both industries need each other to develop self-driving cars.
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