Google to build self-driving development facility in Detroit
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Google is looking to open a 53,000 square feet facility in Detroit with a view to improve collaboration with project partners on its self-driving projects.
The technology giant plans to move into the facility, in Novi, later in 2016. While boosting collaboration, the presence of the location is also likely to attract top vehicle development talent in the state, especially as automakers in the area are facing a tough financial scenario.
The facility is located near Mcity, a facility in Ann Arbor for testing self-driving cars and though Google has said it is not interested in production, the presence of this facility points to the fact that the company may be looking to be more involved in the manufacturing process.
The first development efforts at the facility will be the rolling out of Google's fleet of Chrysler Pacifica self-driving hybrid minivans. Google and Chrysler recently inked a deal wherein Google's driverless car technology will feature in the 2017 model of the Chrysler Pacifica. Chrysler is expected to manufacture 100 of these self-driving Pacifica minivans and they are slated to be operational by the end of 2016. The first of these vehicles will run in Mountain View and other test sites chosen by Google.
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