Google is reportedly working on designing and launching a self-driving car of its own.
Google Inc., the world internet leader, is in talks with some of the largest automobile manufacturing companies in order to design and launch a self-driving vehicle of its own. The web giant is considering calling its autonomous cars "robo-taxis," according to former Wall Street Journal reporter Amir Efrati, who currently reports on jessicalessin.com.
Previous reports suggested that Google was almost closing a deal with Continental AG and IBM to develop a system for its self-driving technology. Google's prior efforts to partner with several leading automobile companies for its self-driving technology did not come through, so the web giant is considering other options, Efrati's report claims.
Google is considering the new technology to be used in part as a "robo-taxi" service, which will pick up passengers on demand. Although it remains unclear whether Google would go ahead with its plan, but according to people familiar with the matter, the company is in talks with contract manufacturers to build a vehicle to Google's specifications and designs, said the report in Jessica Lessin's blog.
Google has been working on the technology since 2010, including testing a fleet of self-driving cars in California, Nevada and Florida with its converted Toyota Prius. Google also plans to reduce the cost of the autonomous vehicles as the cars used in its testing phase cost around $150,000.
Although Google has got a green light to test its fleet of autonomous vehicles in certain parts of the U.S., the company will have to cross several hurdles before the new technology is fully legalized throughout U.S.
