Google's Self-Driving Car (Photo : Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)
Google and Ford are said to be in talks to form an independent company that will develop and create self-driving cars. The collaboration between these major tech and automotive company is scheduled to be announce at the Consumer Electronics Show next month.
The deal is non-exclusive and separate from Ford. This arrangement would protect the car manufacturer from liability in case the car malfunctions while on the road, Yahoo Autos reported.
One of the main issues concerning driverless cars is who will be held accountable when the vehicle crashes so Ford made sure that the contract is set-apart from the company to dodge any accountability.
Then again, there are manufacturers that are also building their own autonomous car like Volvo, Mercedes-Benz and Google that have stepped forward to declare their willingness to take responsibility if their cars were involved in a collision while in auto mode.
As for the non-exclusivity of the deal, it means that Google can always choose to work with other automotive companies that are interested in the driverless car technology.
A spokesman from Google stated that the internet search company do not have any plans of addressing the speculation about the joint venture. Likewise, Ford spokesman Alan Hall confirmed that they are meeting with companies but declined to cite Google in particular.
Hall said in a statement released to The Verge, "We have been and will continue working with many companies and discussing a variety of subjects related to our Ford Smart Mobility plan. We keep these discussions private for obvious competitive reasons, and we do not comment on speculation."
The partnership withe Google will give Ford a big advantage over its rivals that are also building their own self-driving cars. More details about this joint venture is expected to be divulged at CES 2016 on Jan. 5, 2016 in Las Vegas.
