Honda R&D Company has started formal discussions with Waymo, an independent company of Alphabet, to integrate its self-driving technology with the Japanese automaker’s vehicles.
As part of the discussion on technical collaboration, Honda may initially provide Waymo with vehicles modified to accommodate its self-driving technology. These vehicles will join Waymo’s fleet, which are currently being tested across four US cities.
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If both parties agree to enter into a formal agreement, Honda R&D engineers based in Silicon Valley, California and Tochigi, Japan, would work closely with Waymo colleagues in Mountain View, California and Novi, Michigan.
Honda previously announced its intention to put production vehicles with automated driving capabilities on highways at some point around 2020.
“We believe self-driving technology has enormous commercial potential and will enable us to rethink some of the ten trillion miles motor vehicles travel around the world every year,” notes a Waymo statement. “As a standalone business, our goal is to commercialise this technology and build products that can help millions of people.
“As Waymo, one of our next steps will be to let people use fully self-driving cars to do everyday things like run errands or commute to work.”
