Google has begun negotiations with some of the world’s most familiar names in automotive, and has also courted some major global suppliers, as it begins work on its much-publicized self-driving car.
Speaking at the Automotive News World Congress today, project head Chris Urmson said that work on the autonomous vehicle will start at a Roush plant in Livonia, Mich., and that Google is working with other suppliers such as Bosch (for the car’s power electronics and radar), LG (for the battery), and ZF Lenksysteme (for steering equipment). According to Urmson, tuner company Roush manufactured the two-seat Google self-driving car that’s expected to begin testing publicly later this year.
As for the big-name carmakers Google will be working with to build the driverless car, Urmson said the company is planning to begin working with them when the self-driving car is ready for mass commercialization. He played it coy, however, when asked when this would take place, simply saying that Google will “bring the technology to market… …when it’s safe and ready.” A previous report from Reuters suggests that the carmakers involved include Ford, General Motors, Daimler, Volkswagen, and Toyota.
A number of Roush-manufactured prototypes will be tested within the year, with Google having them driving autonomously on closed courses. In accordance with California regulations, a test driver will be behind the wheel of the self-driving car during public tests, while additional controls will be included on the prototype.