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Featured Google working with FCA to create autonomous hybrid minivan prototypes.

Discussion in 'Prius, Hybrid, EV and Alt-Fuel News' started by UsedToLoveCars, May 3, 2016.

  1. UsedToLoveCars

    UsedToLoveCars Active Member

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  2. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    oh my, googles in for a rude awakening. or maybe fca will learn something.:cool:
     
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  3. wjtracy

    wjtracy Senior Member

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    Interesting to see Chrysler being the minivan champion of hybrid/plug-in...may not even have to drive it. What's not to like?
     
  4. mrbigh

    mrbigh Prius Absolutum Dominium

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    Will the Pacifica minivan have an ignition switch????
     
  5. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    nothing, except downtime at the dealership. hope they have donuts.
     
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  6. austingreen

    austingreen Senior Member

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    ? What do you know that we don't?

    I like the tesla approach better than the google approach, but both have some very smart people on sensors and software. Definitely better for google if the sensors are built into the car at the plant, then to retrofit. That will give them a better idea of cost and ease of operation. This sounds like Chrysler will pay for part of google's reaserach, but only a small part, in return for some access to its hardware thinking. That is a good deal all around. Maybe toyota should have reached out to google and struck a similar deal, but they have their own competeing R&D with google.
     
  7. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    i have a lot of windshield time in chryslers and fiats. their engineering will make google look bad, unless google engineers can fix it for them. fca might wind up with a better car in the end.
     
  8. austingreen

    austingreen Senior Member

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    This is about self driving. Google will work with chrysler engineers to put in the sensor hardware, motors, controls, computer hardware, etc for a polished hybrid minivan with safety sysems and self driving features. I don't think google will be working on the engine or chasis at all, but for the test I doubt the pacifica is a bad choice.

    I'm sure fiat is doing it because they are far behind tesla in this technology, and if they can catch up it would give them a leg up in a segment on more traditional auto companies. Google's partnering with them because it can. Its a PITA to buy prii, then add all that stuff once its built. My guess is the team probably approached toyota, and toyota wasn't going to give them 100 car special with google integrated electronics.
     
  9. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    They were the minivan pioneer. The hurdle was just getting them interested in doing a hybrid anything, but the rest were fine in waiting on them.
     
  10. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it won't look good for google when they're broken down on the side of the road. maybe they can make a self repairing car.
     
  11. UsedToLoveCars

    UsedToLoveCars Active Member

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    their cars are at the bottom of both CR's reliability list and road test score list. I mean at least with land rover, you get a nice car to offset the unreliability. I suppose they didn't have many choices - everyone else is probably working on their own autonomous car tech.

    They probably would have been better off going Apple's route. We'll see...
     
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  12. UsedToLoveCars

    UsedToLoveCars Active Member

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    autonomous tow-trucks
     
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  13. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    it's a race to the bottom. honestly, i don't know what google is thinking. apparently, no one there has ever driven a chrysler or fiat. which makes sense, actually.
     
  14. UsedToLoveCars

    UsedToLoveCars Active Member

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    john krafcik (ex head of hyundai US and now head of google cars) should know better, though.
     
  15. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    agreed, they must have their reasons.
     
  16. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    The electric Fiat 500 is a popular seller in California. Without the ICE, the reliability should improve. That's got to be why FCA's CEO doesn't want you buying it.

    FCA might be down near the barrel(don't forget Mitsubishi), but everybody is better than they were 10 or 20 years ago.
    FCA is the only company with plug in minivan or SUV in the US affordable to the majority.
     
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  17. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    is it available?
     
  18. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    next year i'm guessing
     
  19. bisco

    bisco cookie crumbler

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    thanks, what about mitsi?
     
  20. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    No idea. The Outlander PHEV keeps getting pushed back for North America. I've lost track of what the last announcement said.