Intel and Waymo team up to build self driving cars

Intel has announced a partnership with Alphabet's self-driving unit, Waymo to build self-driving cars. In this collaboration, Waymo would be providing the computing power necessary for Level 4 and 5 autonomous vehicles that can drive in any condition.

The announcement marked the first time Waymo has acknowledged a collaboration with a supplier. The company has done most of its development work in-house. Intel CEO Brian Krzanich wrote in a blog post,"Given the pace at which autonomous driving is coming to life, I fully expect my children’s children will never have to drive a car. That’s an astounding thought: Something almost 90 percent of Americans do every day will end within a generation. With so much life-saving potential, it’s a rapid transformation that Intel is excited to be at the forefront of along with other industry leaders like Waymo.”

Waymo's self-driving Chrisler Pacifica minivans, which are active on the public roads in Arizona and California, already feature Intel's technology for connectivity and sensor data processing. Both the companies hope to make autonomous vehicles that can be driven in any condition.

In a Medium post, Waymo added that working closely with Intel on its in-house computer will allow the company to “carefully select the components that are best suited for fully self-driving technology.”

''Intel's technology supports the advanced processing inside our vehicles, with the ability to manufacture to meet Waymo's needs at scale,'' Waymo CEO John Krafcik said in a statement. This partnership will ensure Intel continues its leading role in helping realize the promise of autonomous driving and a safer future.