Waymo, operating under Google’s parent firm Alphabet is in full swing to produce self- driving strong fleet of 100 minivans embedded with latest technology to be tested on public roads in 2017. Waymo had completed the world’s first fully autonomous trip in October 2015 without the driver, and at present it is pushing ways to further commercialize technology. This minivan is a modified Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid.
On top of the self-driving car there is a round thimble like unit which contains 360 degree camera and LIDAR a light detection along with it a ranging technology used to create 3 D mapping and also there are sensors above the front tires hosts radar to measure the range and velocity of objects.
Updated with new computers, updated sensors and other major system updates, Waymo’s unveiled self-driven Fiat Chrysler minivan is a stepping stone towards more refined usage of technology in representing self-driving cars, as it has a number of uses that traditional cars are not well suited for according to the Waymo CEO John Krafcik. The company is working hard to get the Chryslers road ready and is conducting 200 hours of extreme weather testing and testing at Google and FCA centers.
Waymo is far ahead of its competitors also in terms of launching its vehicle next year, as Tesla is also aiming to go for self-driving car technology by the end of next year and Volkswagen new subsidiary Moia is also aiming to manufacture self- driving ride share cars to hit the roads by 2020. But first of all, people will get to witness Google’s years of hard work in action by bringing self-driving Chrysler Pacifica minivan on road.