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Google and Honda team up on Waymo's self-driving efforts

Indeed, Google will not stop at Honda, and may end up knocking on more doors to make its self-driving technology popular.

Tech2 News Staff|Dec 22, 2016, 10:05:15 IST

Everyone's trying to build a self-driving car, but after getting the equipment and software right, even companies like Google can get a bit lost because Google may be the king of software, but it knows little about building cars. So in order to jump over this hurdle, Google has announced that it is talks with Honda, a well-known car manufacturer, which could see a bit of an exchange of information taking place between both giants. According to Wired a formal agreement is expected to be announced soon.The now independent self-driving effort by Google, now called Waymo has been working with its tiny runabouts for about seven years. With so many years to perfect the self driving technology (software and hardware), Google unlike Tesla needed someone to make use of it. So for now Honda seemed like a good option, more because Japanese automaker is not exactly known for taking big strides in the autonomous car space, but more of a mass manufacturer, even though its other divisions have been working on robots for long.Indeed, Google will not stop at Honda, and may end up knocking on more doors to make its self-driving technology popular.It is a scenario similar to what Apple seems to be gunning for, after recently calling off its autonomous car efforts after years of planning. While the details are still sparse, Apple could be looking purely at a software unlike hardware and software in Waymo's case.

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Google and Honda team up on Waymo's self-driving efforts

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Tesla's Cybercab to feature built-in Starlink antenna, bringing satellite internet to robotaxis

US rejects Tesla bid to avoid recall of nearly 20,000 vehicles over headlight issue

IIT Kanpur study finds no evidence E20 petrol damages engines, says mileage impact is minimal

As Nissan expands its line-up from one model to four, the carmaker is betting on affordable SUVs, exports and ICE volumes before making its EV play

Volkswagen layoffs could hit 1 lakh as CEO warns of deeper cost overhaul