Besides dominating the Internet via its search engine, advertising division and countless products, Google also produces smartphones, tablets and, more recently, the famous and controversial Google Glass. The company founded by Larry Page and Sergey Brin has also been working on software for self-driving cars, and apparently, it wants more than just designing the technology.
According to a report from former Wall Street Journal reporter Jessica Lessin, the Internet giant wants to design and develop a self-driving car itself. The report cites people familiar with the matter who say that in recent months Google has been negotiating with contract manufacturers to build new cars to its specifications.
Evidently, Google made this move after talks with big car brands about incorporating its technology into their vehicles failed to result in a partnership. Subsequently, Google has been talking with auto parts manufacturers such as Continental and Magna International to have them build a car under its guide.
The same business model is already used by Apple, which uses supply-chain company Foxconn to build its phones in China, while the software and apps are made by Apple. Another report from German newspaper Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung said Google is nearing a deal with Continental to create a self-driving car system.
Despite talks with auto parts suppliers, the company is still seeking to partner with established automakers. Google is hoping it will convince automakers to embrace self-driving technology, whether they collaborate with Google or not. Currently, Google’s fleet of autonomous cars is mostly made up of Toyota Prius hybrid vehicles.
According to the unnamed sources, Google has considered ways to sell autonomous cars to individuals and has focused on setting up a “robo-taxi” service that picks up passengers on demand. It is not clear whether Google wants to operate such services on its own.
By Dan Mihalascu
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