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Google to use Waymo's autonomous trucks to deliver data center cargo

The transport tests will take place in Atlanta, where Google-owned Waymo recently expanded its test program of self-driving minivans.
Written by Natalie Gagliordi, Contributor

Video: Waymo buys more Chrysler minivans for driverless taxi fleet

Google said on Friday that it plans to use Waymo's self-driving trucks to deliver cargo to Google's data centers.

The transport tests will take place in Atlanta, where Google-owned Waymo recently expanded its test program of self-driving minivans. Google's logistics team will work closely with Waymo's team to give Waymo's self-driving trucks a chance to operate in a real-world business scenario.

Read also: Google's Waymo expands to Atlanta to test self-driving cars

Waymo announced its push into autonomous trucking a year ago and has since been testing its fleet in California and Arizona. The trucking endeavor taps into much of the same technology used in Waymo's cars and minivans, but it's tuned to the complexities of operating a big rig on a roadway.

"Our software is learning to drive big rigs in much the same way a human driver would after years of driving passenger cars," wrote Waymo in a blog post. "The principles are the same, but things like braking, turning, and blind spots are different with a fully-loaded truck and trailer."

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(Image: Waymo)

In 2017, Waymo began offering rides to residents in an early rider program in Phoenix. Georgia is now the seventh state for Waymo's tests, joining pilots in California, Texas, Washington, Nevada, Michigan, and Arizona.

Earlier this year, Waymo ordered thousands of new Chrysler Pacifica minivans -- in the hope of launching a driverless ride-hailing service sometime this year. The vehicles are the first to attain a Level 4 in autonomy, which the Society of Automotive Engineers stipulates as a "high level" but not fully autonomous.

Read also: Waymo buys more Chrysler minivans for driverless taxi fleet

The Waymo trucks also appear to be in the Level 4 realm, as the company said that drivers will remain in the cab during the tests in order to monitor systems and take control of the vehicle if needed.

"In short, our near-decade of experience with passenger vehicles has given us a head start in trucking," Waymo wrote in its blog post. "Trucking is a vital part of the American economy, and we believe self-driving technology has the potential to make this sector safer and even stronger."

Previous and related coverage

Google spinoff Waymo's 360-degree video: See what it's like to be a self-driving car

Waymo releases video to assure people its autonomous-vehicle technology is safe.

Uber settles Waymo lawsuit over stolen trade secrets

Uber will pay Waymo $245 million in cash, equal to a .34 percent equity stake at the raid-hailing firm's recent $72 billion valuation.

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