Chrysler launches an autonomous minivan with Google technology

The Chrysler Pacifica uses Waymo’s autonomous technology, and 100 units of this minivan have already been produced.

The alliance that Google and Fiat Chrysler sealed last May is starting to bear fruit. Google recently announced that the development of its self-driving car would be handled by the Waymo brand, and now it seems this technology will be introduced into a hybrid minivan from the FCA group, the Chrysler Pacifica 2017. After seven months of work at the Novi, Michigan plant, these images of the minivan have come to light.

Until now, the FCA group had not worked on autonomous car research, but with the development of this new model the manufacturer group has taken a major step forward in this area.

The Chrysler minivan has received numerous modifications to incorporate Waymo’s autonomous technology. The chassis, transmission and electrical system have been optimized for this purpose. In addition, the Chrysler Pacifica incorporates Waymo’s sophisticated sensors as well as its telematics, onboard computers and other electronic components.

The FCA group has already produced 100 units of this autonomous model, which will reach the roads in a few months. It remains to be seen how the legislation for these vehicles evolves and whether it will be permitted to drive in fully autonomous mode with them.