Waymo, the self-driving car company owned by Alphabet, has officially retired its fleet of Chrysler Pacifica minivans that were used for autonomous vehicle testing. The move comes as the company shifts its focus to using more advanced, purpose-built vehicles for its self-driving technology.
The Pacifica minivans were a key part of Waymo's early testing efforts, with the company first partnering with Chrysler in 2016 to create a fleet of self-driving vehicles. Over the years, the company has deployed these vehicles in a number of pilot programs, including its Waymo One ride-hailing service in Phoenix, Arizona.
However, as Waymo's technology has advanced, the company has started to focus on using more advanced, purpose-built vehicles for its self-driving efforts. In fact, Waymo recently unveiled its own custom-designed self-driving vehicle, the Waymo Driver, which it plans to use in its commercial ride-hailing service.
The decision to retire the Pacifica minivans is part of this broader shift in focus. While these vehicles played an important role in Waymo's early testing efforts, the company now believes that it can achieve better performance and safety with purpose-built vehicles that are designed specifically for self-driving.
Despite retiring its Pacifica minivans, Waymo remains committed to its mission of creating safe and reliable autonomous vehicle technology. The company has invested heavily in research and development, and it continues to test and refine its self-driving technology in cities across the United States.
Overall, the retirement of the Pacifica minivans marks a significant milestone in Waymo's journey towards creating safe and reliable self-driving technology. As the company continues to refine its technology and deploy purpose-built vehicles, it will be interesting to see how the autonomous vehicle landscape evolves in the years to come.
