Not even a month after Jaguar showed off its first all-electric SUV, the I-PACE, Google’s Waymo jumped at the wheel! Well, so to speak, because Google’s self-driving car project Waymo actually plans to convert the I-PACE into a self-driving car and has placed an order for 20,000 electric Jaguars over the next two years.
Converting the I-PACE to a self-driving vehicle is part of Waymo’s plan for a driverless ride-hailing service starting in 2020 capable of offering 1 million rides a day. These Jaguar vehicles were particularly attractive to Waymo as it is electric, connects to Alexa, and received over-the-air car updates like Tesla vehicles do. Additionally, the Jaguar I-PACE outperformed the Tesla Model X in a drag race
Waymo CEO John Krafcik told the audience at the New York International Auto Show that the I-PACE is just one of the models in its car fleet. Waymo is currently doing self-driving tests in Phoenix with Chrysler mini-vans and will soon add the I-PACE to the program. Krafcik also said that it will not suspend tests and Waymo is indeed the only self-driving car to be seen on US roads at the moment.
“While we’ve been focused at Waymo on building the world’s most experienced driver, the team at Jaguar Land Rover has developed an all-new battery-electric platform that looks to set a new standard in safety, design, and capability. We’re sure Waymo riders will enjoy the safe, premium and delightful experience that the self-driving I-PACE will provide,” says Krafcik.
After the fatal accident involving an Uber driverless car and Uber being ordered to stop tests, Waymo could very well be the first to have fully perfect the autonomous vehicle.
Until then, the consumer Jaguar I-PACE will appear in showrooms later this year. The base model will cost £58,995.
To see how Waymo driverless cars work, check out the Waymo 360 experience.
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