For some time, Fiat Chrysler has partnered with Waymo, providing Chrysler Pacificas for its partner’s fledgling autonomous ride-hailing business. Now, FCA has another partner.
Announced Monday, FCA has signed a memorandum of understanding with Aurora, maker of Aurora Driver — a package of hardware and software capable of Level 4 driving that the company hopes to sell to other companies.
According to FCA, the two companies “will leverage one another’s strengths and capabilities to address the needs of commercial vehicle customers.” No word on which specific vehicles FCA hopes to turn into self-driving machines, but delivery vans are clearly what the company has in mind.
“Through this proposed partnership, FCA and Aurora would integrate the Aurora Driver into FCA commercial vehicle lines,” the automaker stated. “This would allow for a variety of customized solutions for commercial vehicle customers at a time when changing lifestyles and online shopping patterns are creating logistical opportunities.”
Level 4 autonomy is high on the self-driving scale. While such vehicles would not require a steering wheel or pedals, their operation would be restricted to carefully mapped streets and highways.
In its three years of existence, Aurora has forged partnerships with numerous companies, among them Volkswagen, and its financial backers include online shopping giant Amazon. Testing of Aurora Driver is ongoing in three U.S. locales — Palo Alto, San Francisco, and Pittsburgh.
[Image: Fiat Chrysler Automobiles]
“Thank you for riding with JohnnyCab!”
I’m familiar with the Aurora system. It’s got more potential than other AV/EV solutions. All we need to do is cut a slot in the middle of all the traffic lanes and run electric current on buried rails for the cars to draw power from.