Novi Hosts Waymo Self-Driving Vehicle Testing

NOVI, MI — Novi residents seeing a funny looking white minivan with a Waymo logo on it next week shouldn’t call police. That’s because the company will be testing its self-driving Chrysler Pacifica on city streets as part of its efforts to make autonomous vehicles a reality.

The California-based company, a Google subsidiary, is using Michigan as its guinea pig for testing cold weather climates. Previous tests have been done at warm weather sites like Austin and suburban Phoenix.

“Our Chrysler Pacifica minivans are our most advanced self-driving vehicles to date, and testing in snow, sleet and ice will help further hone our driving capabilities,” John Krafcik, Waymo CEO said in a statement. “Having lived through 14 Michigan winters, I’m confident that there are few better places that will prepare our self-driving cars for winter conditions.”

Waymo’s fleet has self-driven more than three million miles, mostly on city streets, according to the company. It has also put one billion miles of driving in simulation last year.

Waymo opened a development center in Novi in 2016. The idea with testing is to make sure all of mini-van’s sensors and other equipment work properly under harsh winter conditions, Michigan Gov. Rick Snyder said.

“Waymo clearly shares our concern for and commitment to safety for Michigan residents,” he said in a statement. “I’m proud that Waymo chose Michigan to expand its testing as they take their self-driving vehicles into the next phase. Michiganders certainly understand the challenges of driving in the winter and I look forward to seeing how Waymo’s engineers can address that in these next-generation vehicles.”

Photo courtesy of Waymo