LeftLaneNews
Waymo partnering with Renault-Nissan for autonomous taxis?

Waymo partnering with Renault-Nissan for autonomous taxis?

The expected agreement will further expand Waymo's fleet beyond Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Jaguar Land Rover agreements.

Waymo is reportedly engaged in talks with the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi alliance to bring more self-driving taxis to market.

The companies are in the final stage of discussions and expect to announce a formal agreement as early as spring, according to a Nikkei report.

Waymo has already signed deals with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles and Jaguar Land Rover to secure a diverse fleet of vehicles that will be converted to fully self-driving taxis at a facility in Michigan. Riders will consequently be presented with a choice between different types of vehicles, depending on the type of trip such as taking kids to a soccer game or going out to see a movie with a date.

The Google-owned company is widely viewed as the clear leader in autonomous driving, launching the first 'commercial' service in a limited section of the Phoenix suburbs this year. The Renault-Nissan alliance represents the number-two global automaker with 10.8 million vehicles sold in 2018, though the company has apparently fallen behind in pursuing autonomous technology.

The partnership between Waymo and Renault-Nissan may extend beyond a mere vehicle supply agreement, perhaps including a platform for handling reservations or payments, according to the latest unconfirmed report.