Google Waymo self-driving car release date news: 100 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans to join fleet in early 2017

Earlier this month, Google's announced that its self-driving car project had spun off into Waymo, an independent company under the Alphabet umbrella. Now, the self-driving technology company has revealed its partnership with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and has unveiled official images of the new vehicle that will be joining the self-driving test fleet.

Waymo previously announced that they are not in the business of building cars. Rather, they are focused on integrating their self-driving technology to vehicles made by automakers. With this in mind, Waymo and FCA have announced that 100 examples of the 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan have been built with Waymo's self-driving technology, which includes a purpose-built computer, a suite of sensors, telematics and other systems.

"The Pacifica Hybrid will be a great addition to our fully self-driving test fleet. FCA's product development and manufacturing teams have been agile partners, enabling us to go from program kickoff to full vehicle assembly in just six months. They've been great partners, and we look forward to continued teamwork with them as we move into 2017," said John Krafcik, CEO of Waymo.

The all-new Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan's systems, powertrain and chassis were modified in order to optimize it for Waymo's self-driving technology. To facilitate the development process, both companies collaborated and worked on the project at a facility in southeastern Michigan. Extensive testing was also carried out by both companies.

The 2017 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid comes with a large 16 kWh battery that enables it to attain an all-electric range of 33 miles. The plug-in hybrid is considered is considered as one of a kind as no other automaker has released an electric minivan.

With self-driving technology, Waymo hopes to make it safer for people on the road. It has the potential to prevent millions of death that occur each year as a result of human error. The collaboration between Waymo hopes to gain more understanding with regard to the needs of consumers while in transit as it continues to develop its technology.

The 100 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans will join Waymo's self-driving test fleet in early 2017.