Google’s parent company Alphabet is planning to drastically scale back the Google driverless car project, according to a new report.
Tech site The Information cites Alphabet insiders as saying that it will no longer persist with its original vision for its driverless car, which would have been 100 per cent autonomous.
Instead, Google will reportedly now settle for something more practical by partnering with existing car manufacturers and supplying them with technology, data services, sensors and software.
Google had originally stated that its first driverless car would be out around 2020 and would come without a steering wheel or pedals, transporting users completely unaided.
The prototypes have already logged more than two million miles’ worth of completely anonymous driving, with only a few minor bumps in the road and accidents during its eight-year development.
The Information’s report echoes a separate report back in October, which stated that Apple had also packed in its plans to build a physical car in favour of developing software.
Earlier this month, patents filed by Apple were unveiled, which included plans for an advanced collision avoidance system designed for use in both robotics and self-driving vehicles.
