• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia
Alphabet

Alphabet’s Waymo Reveals Its Self-Driving Minivans

By
Kirsten Korosec
Kirsten Korosec
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Kirsten Korosec
Kirsten Korosec
Down Arrow Button Icon
December 19, 2016, 2:11 AM ET
Photograph Courtesy of Waymo

Waymo, the Google (GOOGL) self-driving project that recently spun out to become a business under Alphabet, has taken the wraps off its autonomous Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans.

The company is adding 100 of these self-driving minivans to its fleet, as part of a collaboration announced in May with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCAU)—the first time the tech company has worked directly with an automaker to create its autonomous vehicles.

The self-driving minivans will be on public roads in 2017, Waymo CEO John Krafcik said in a blog post published Sunday night on Medium. The minivans are outfitted with updated sensors, new computers, and “other major system updates,” he wrote.

google-waymo-fca
(Photograph: Courtesy of Waymo)
Courtesy of Waymo

This first look at the modified self-driving vans shows a number of sensors integrated into the vehicle, including one on the front grille and back bumper.

Sensors located above the front tires house radar to measure velocity and range of objects and LIDAR, a light-detection and ranging technology that is used to create high-resolution 3D mapping. Both sensors help the car better understand the world around it. On top of the vehicle, a round thimble-like unit contains a 360-degree camera and LIDAR.

(Photograph: Courtesy of Waymo)
Photo from Waymo

YooJung Ahn, who led the design team for Google’s self-driving prototype vehicle, is also heading up industrial design for the autonomous minivans.

Some of the early prototype minivans have already undergone testing, including more than 200 hours of what Waymo calls “extreme-weather” testing. Waymo has tried out the vehicles at its own track in California, as well as Fiat’s test sites in Chelsea, Mich., and Yucca, Ariz.

Get Data Sheet, Fortune’s technology newsletter.

The “first look” comes just five days after Google’s self-driving project officially announced that it was a business—with a new name and a slightly different plan.

Until last week, little was known about what the tech giant intended to do with its project, beyond the stated goal of commercializing self-driving cars by 2020.

When the project became an official company, its business model shifted. Waymo says it will license its self-driving technology to third-party companies, including automakers and ride-hailing firms, as opposed to building its own transportation as a service company.

About the Author
By Kirsten Korosec
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • Future 50
  • World’s Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Editorial Calendar
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Diversity And Inclusion
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in

Donald Trump stands behind a podium while pointing a finger in front of him.
EconomyTariffs
‘People are trying to be creative’: Tariff-battered American companies are so cash-starved they are using refund claims as collateral for loans
By Sasha RogelbergApril 12, 2026
1 hour ago
Former Citgo Petroleum interim CEO José Pereira was one of the 'Citgo Six' political prisoners held captive in Venezuela for nearly five years.
EnergyVenezuela
Former ‘Citgo 6’ political prisoner sees ‘karma’ in Maduro ouster, but Venezuelan oil won’t rebound until there’s true regime change
By Jordan BlumApril 12, 2026
2 hours ago
JD Vance leaves Pakistan after marathon talks with Iran end without a deal as Tehran refuses U.S. demand not to develop nuclear weapons
PoliticsIran
JD Vance leaves Pakistan after marathon talks with Iran end without a deal as Tehran refuses U.S. demand not to develop nuclear weapons
By Munir Ahmed, E. Eduardo Castillo, Samy Magdy, Cara Anna, Ben Finley, Collin Binkley and The Associated PressApril 11, 2026
6 hours ago
Trump downplays talks for ceasefire deal with Iran, claiming military victory. ‘It doesn’t matter. From the standpoint of America, we win’
PoliticsDonald Trump
Trump downplays talks for ceasefire deal with Iran, claiming military victory. ‘It doesn’t matter. From the standpoint of America, we win’
By The Associated PressApril 11, 2026
10 hours ago
Appeals court says national security implications of halting White House ballroom construction must be weighed
Lawcourts
Appeals court says national security implications of halting White House ballroom construction must be weighed
By Michael Kunzelman, Ben Finley and The Associated PressApril 11, 2026
10 hours ago
‘This is the last warning.’ Iran threatens U.S. warships after they throw down the gauntlet for winner-take-all Strait of Hormuz
PoliticsIran
‘This is the last warning.’ Iran threatens U.S. warships after they throw down the gauntlet for winner-take-all Strait of Hormuz
By Jason MaApril 11, 2026
11 hours ago

Most Popular

'This is the last warning.' Iran threatens U.S. warships after they throw down the gauntlet for winner-take-all Strait of Hormuz
Politics
'This is the last warning.' Iran threatens U.S. warships after they throw down the gauntlet for winner-take-all Strait of Hormuz
By Fortune EditorsApril 11, 2026
11 hours ago
Palantir CEO says AI ‘will destroy’ humanities jobs but there will be ‘more than enough jobs’ for people with vocational training
Future of Work
Palantir CEO says AI ‘will destroy’ humanities jobs but there will be ‘more than enough jobs’ for people with vocational training
By Fortune EditorsApril 11, 2026
22 hours ago
The 'affordability economy' has created a housing market nobody predicted: Prices collapsing in the Sun Belt, soaring in the Rust Belt
Real Estate
The 'affordability economy' has created a housing market nobody predicted: Prices collapsing in the Sun Belt, soaring in the Rust Belt
By Fortune EditorsApril 11, 2026
1 day ago
Warren Buffett says 'accumulating great amounts of money' doesn’t achieve greatness—He still lives in a $31,500 Nebraska home and clipped coupons
Success
Warren Buffett says 'accumulating great amounts of money' doesn’t achieve greatness—He still lives in a $31,500 Nebraska home and clipped coupons
By Fortune EditorsApril 11, 2026
23 hours ago
Scottie Scheffler joined Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in golf's $100M club—and donated his entire Ryder Cup stipend to charity
Success
Scottie Scheffler joined Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy in golf's $100M club—and donated his entire Ryder Cup stipend to charity
By Fortune EditorsApril 10, 2026
2 days ago
Navy tests Hormuz blockade as expert says U.S. military prepares for round 2 and could degrade Iran's hold over the strait to a 'manageable level'
Politics
Navy tests Hormuz blockade as expert says U.S. military prepares for round 2 and could degrade Iran's hold over the strait to a 'manageable level'
By Fortune EditorsApril 11, 2026
16 hours ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.