Honda News: Google Tech In Self Driving Cars

By A.M. Uygongco

Dec 22, 2016 11:43 AM EST

Honda's 2020 self-driving cars may be run by Google's Waymo's autonomous driving technology if Honda Motors Co. and Waymo are able to strike a deal.

Waymo is the autonomous driving unit of Google's parent company Alphabet Inc., and it is currently in talks with Honda about putting the former's self-driving technology in the latter's vehicles, reports Bloomberg. Two other automakers attempted to make a deal with Waymo last year, but no agreement came out of it.

After having recently unveiled a photo of their artificial intelligence-powered electric car, Honda announced its plans that in 2020, it would release self-driving cars that are capable of operating on highways. It currently has Honda Sensing, a semi-autonomous technology package that has lane keep assist capabilities, as well as adaptive cruise control features.

Partnering with Waymo could mean that a more advanced autonomous driving vehicle could be developed. It could also steer the car manufacturer into other and more diverse technological directions.

On another note, this is not the first time for Waymo to enter the automobile industry. Formerly called as the “Google Self-Driving Car Project”, it has partnered with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles NV, equipping its 100 Chrysler Pacifica minivans with computers, sensors, telematics, and other systems.

According to Michell Krebs, who is an analyst for Cox Automotive's Autotrader.com, it would be more difficult for Apple and Google to get into the automobile industry than it is to supply the technology for it. This news then shows that the tech company plans to further develop its autonomous driving technology and make a name for itself alongside the likes of vehicle maker, Tesla, which has already made developments in autonomous driving and is set to release Model 3 next year.

In an announcement made by Alphabet, Waymo is intent on changing the transportation industry. It may be that very soon, Honda and Waymo will be competing with Tesla’s self-driving cars.