Waymo's autonomous vehicles can drive themselves, but they can't change their own oil or rotate their own tires. To keep its driverless fleet in tip-top shape, Waymo has partnered with the rental car fleet specialists at Avis Budget Group.
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Avis will perform typical services, from fillups and charge-ups to oil changes and brake installations, on Waymo's self-driving Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans that are now roaming around Phoenix, Ariz. The partnership will leverage Avis' experience managing large-scale fleets, while Waymo will continue to look after the autonomous parts of the vehicles.
Earlier this year, Waymo released self-driving cars to the public around the Phoenix area. As part of an "early rider" program, residents can receive free rides in self-driving cars in exchange for providing their feedback on the experience. The goal of the program is to give a select group of participants access to self-driving cars on an everyday basis.
Waymo, which spun off from Google, has logged millions of autonomous miles on public roads. Its fleet has grown to 600 Pacifica plug-in hybridsequipped with sensors, radar, and LiDAR for autonomous driving.
Waymo is seeking multiple partnerships to accelerate the deployment of driverless cars. Not only did it strike a deal with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles to obtain the Pacificas, but it recently linked up with Lyft and has been in talks with Honda.
Source: Waymo via Medium
When I tell people I write about cars, the most common reply I receive is “Really?” I guess I never strike people as a car type as I drive down the freeway in the right lane going 60 mph in my old SUV. My gripes about driving in city traffic and fast drivers don’t help my case, either. For a time, the only cars I liked were old cars. Not old as in "classic" or "vintage," but as in well-worn. My first appreciation of cars came when I drove a very old Ford pickup. It wasn't perfect: I used a booster seat to reach the gas pedal, and the turn signal once fell off in my hand as I was learning to drive. But the thing I valued most was the memories. It took several years for me to truly become a "car person." Being a long-time writer and an avid reader has helped me develop a healthy curiosity and a desire to know how things work. This has made cars one of the most fascinating points of study for me because they are such intricate machines. I am interested in how cars can reach 200 mph, how they can run on hydrogen, and how they can drive and park on their own. I also enjoy learning how cars can solve problems whether it be in the form of reducing pollution, minimizing traffic, or helping people stay connected on the road. Yes, maybe I’m not a gearhead. Perhaps I’m a car nerd. Either way, I very much enjoy writing about cars and helping people stay in tune with the automotive industry. I wouldn't want to be writing about anything else. And don’t get me wrong: I know how to drool over a hot car. I am fascinated by the Tesla Model S, awed by the Lamborghini Veneno, and am hopelessly obsessed with the Audi R8.
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