Google to open Detroit office for self-driving cars

Google is setting up shop in the traditional home of the automotive industry, Detroit, as it seeks to further develop autonomous vehicle technology.

Google yesterday revealed plans for a 53,000-square-foot facility in the city of Novi, a short drive from Detroit and planned to have the ''self-driving technology development center'' functioning by the end of the year.

Some members of the team were already based in the area, and according to the company, it felt now was the right time ''to lay down roots.''

''Many of our current partners are based here, so having a local facility will help us collaborate more easily and access Michigan's top talent in vehicle development and engineering,'' the company said in a Google+ post announcing the news.

Google added that the priority for the team at the new base would be to ready its self-driving Chrysler Pacifica hybrid minivans.

The recently announced collaboration between Google and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) would see the company's self-driving technology fitted into 100 specially designed Pacifica minivans.

According to the company, the project gave it the opportunity to test its self-driving gear with a larger vehicle – up to now it had been using the Toyota Prius, Audi TT, and Lexus RX450h cars, as also its much smaller pod-like vehicle, to put its kit through its paces.

Although Google has earlier said that it was not necessarily interested in making a car, the move suggested that the company would be much more involved in the actual manufacturing process of Pacifica minivans. Also the location was not too far away from Mcity, the Ann Arbor testing facility for autonomous vehicles.

However, according to commentators, the key phrase for the announcement was ''access Michigan's top talent in vehicle development and engineering.'' They point out this meant Google would be able to more easily poach the smartest people living and working in Detroit.