Fiat Chrysler joins BMW, Intel and Mobileye in an attempt to develop self-driving cars

BMW-Intel team benefits from a boost in the automakers competition due to the addition of FCA. Tech firms and auto suppliers are in a race to develop the one technology that allows cars to drive with little to no driver interaction.

“In order to advance autonomous driving technology, it is vital to form partnerships among automakers, technology providers and suppliers,” said FCA Chief Executive Officer Sergio Marchionne.

Moreover, the automakers will co-locate engineers in Germany as well as other locations around the world. Even though the join of forces won’t be able to develop models to be sold in large volume, FCA said that the enhancement it brings to the partnership stays in its volume, geographic reach and experience in North America.

At least for now, Fiar Chrysler said that it is not changing its relationship with Waymo in any way. Waymo is the subsidiary of Alphabet which worked with Fiat Chrysler to modify Chrysler Pacifica minivans. More than that, Waymo is testing a limited number of self-driving Pacifica minivans in Phoenix, with some of them even providing rides to a few people.

Harold Kruger, BMW Chairman, said: “With FCA as our new partner, we reinforce our path.”

Intel’s CEO, Brian Krzanich added that: “The future of transportation relies on auto and tech industry leaders working together to develop a scalable architecture that automakers around the globe can adopt and customize.”

Source: cnbc.com