Heard of Waymo Inc? Waymo branched out of the Google organization last year with an emphasis on launching self-driving cars for the public. Google is a firm believer, and investor in the automation industry and now it looks like another Silicon Valley mega corporation. Intel is also diving into this industry, in an agreement, which would launch a new range of self-driving cars.
The coming together of the two tech giants is a sign of how serious industrialists are in wanting to make driverless cars a reality as soon as possible. Despite their competition, a collaboration has emerged. Here are the details:
A partnership
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The news of this collaboration shouldn’t come as a surprise to most seeing as Intel already makes technology for Waymo’s Chrysler Pacifica minivan self-driving series. There are about 600 of these vehicles- most of which are publicly being tested in Phoenix. However seeing the progression of the self-driving concept which has been getting huge support from not just Google but other companies as well, Intel wishes to collaborate on another level to bring about this revolution. The new collaboration will see Intel providing all the computing power necessary to bring Level 4 and 5 autonomous vehicles (fully self-driven) on public roads, although none of the vehicles have been approved yet to run on roads.
Intel’s plans
The news of this collaboration is exciting because although Waymo maybe a recent start-up (albeit backed by Google) Intel has been a technological and corporate force in the industry for many decades now. Intel is clearly taking the self-driving concept very seriously and collaboration with Google means it wants full stakes in the autonomous industry. This is backed by the company’s astonishing 15.3 billion dollar offer to snap up the Israeli auto company Mobileye in 2016. They have also predicted that the self-driving market will be well over 7 trillion dollars someday and intend to build a fleet of level 4 self-driving vehicles, to be tested in Israel, America and parts of Europe as soon as possible.
Waymo’s situation
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Despite being backed by Google, Waymo isn’t just interested in getting by its brand recognition. The company has racked up a list of collaborations with other companies such as Avis and Lyft. Collaboration with Intel will further propel its stature in the automation sector and a chance to have the best processors available on the market. Waymo is also collaborating with FIAT which is great considering that both Intel and Waymo are tech companies and need an auto industry insider to guide them in the supply and resources department of the automobile industry. Waymo’s blueprint cannot be faulted. The Company builds its own computer hardware parts, and having chips built by Intel will be the best from their department. A safe bet with less chance of failure.
Future Predictions
Though nobody can truly predict the future, expectations for both electric and autonomous cars are high- maybe not so much with the general population yet, but certainly among the Silicon Valley honchos. Like Intel, Nvidia, which also makes computer chips, is already working with manufacturers like Toyota, Audi, and Volvo. And there’s a lot that has been said about Tesla getting into self-driving sector. The Elon Musk owned hotshot company is in works with AMD to develop autonomous driving chips and are even making predictions of a 2019 launch. One cannot say of Intel’s prediction of a 7 trillion market in the unforeseen markets, but current predictions state that by as early as 2035 the self-driving industry will be hovering around the 77 billion dollar mark.
