Yes, Google will no longer manufacture self-propelled cars. Waymo will do it.
Basically, the Google X auto-drive unit, formerly codenamed Chauffeur, is reportedly becoming an independent company under the Alphabet umbrella. New Waymo CEO Jon Krafcik made the announcement today at a press conference in Califronia.
As TechCrunch reports, the department constructionς αυτοκινήτων της Google πρόσφατα απέκτησε στελέχη από έμπειρους ηγέτες επιχειρήσεων. Ο Krafcik που προσλήφθηκε φέτος εργαζόταν για τη Hyundai, ενώ ο πρώην CEO των airbnb και TripAdviser Shaun Stewart was also recently hired to reinforce the team.
With the creation of Waymo, Alphabet seems to be trying to promote new technology in the real world by exploring collaborations with existing automakers instead of trying to completely eliminate the driver-man from the equation.
The move was more likely to be expected, considering Alphabet's raison d'être, which has come to separate Google's functions, but also the delay in the promotion of self-driving by regulators.