Waymo is looking at partnering with the Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi alliance

A report by Nikkei has revealed that Waymo is set to announce a partnership with the Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi alliance to develop autonomous vehicles alongside further innovations which are in the pipeline.  

Building on Google’s driverless-care programme, the collaboration will enable the business to expand its global reach and ambitions to further expand both its fleet and ongoing capabilities. Following its driverless taxi service, which was launched in Arizona in 2018 and has led to competition with ride-hailing company, Uber, the technology juggernaut invested in over 60,000 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans to support its autonomous driving projects.

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With the aim to bring autonomous taxis to Japan, in time for the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, as well as turn its Pacifica Hybrid minivans fully autonomous. The move would be advantageous for all parties in gaining a slice of the world’s second and third largest economies as the industry increasingly turns towards mobility as a service (MaaS) technologies.

Automotive companies are increasingly looking to partner to tackle rising development costs, share knowledge and gain further incentives. Chinese ride-hailing company Didi Chuxing has recently partnered with BAIC, Toyota Motor is working with Uber to develop new technologies in Japan, and tech giant Apple secretly houses on a new automotive project, called Project Titan, leaving minimal room to remain dormant.