Jaguar teams up with Waymo to build driverless I-Pace SUVs

Up to 20,000 self-driving Jaguar I-Paces are set to hit the road in a new driverless transportation service.

Jaguar Land Rover is teaming up with Waymo (formerly the Google self-driving car project) to create driverless versions of the I-Pace all-electric SUV. Waymo will buy up to 20,000 cars and fit them with its production-ready self-driving technology. 

The Waymo I-Paces will initially be used for trials in the US later this year to gather reliability and safety data for both firms, and specifically to help Jaguar with the base I-Pace and future models. 

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So far Waymo is the only company with a fleet of self-driving cars and later this year the firm will launch the world’s first self-driving ride transportation service. Users will be able to ‘request’ a car via their smartphone to transport them to their destination.

After the US trials starting later this year, the Waymo I-Paces will be rolled out in the Waymo’s new ride hailing service with the firm hoping to serve one million driverless car journeys per day. The partnership will properly start in 2020 and will initially last eight years – four years supplying cars and four years offering maintenance and repairs.  

Jaguar Land Rover CEO, Prof. Dr. Ralf Speth, said: “With the Jaguar I-Pace we have a world-beating car that’s captured the imagination of customers around the world. Our passion for further advancing smart mobility needs expert long-term partners. In joining forces with Waymo we are pioneering to push the boundaries of technology. Together we will deliver the self-driving Waymo Jaguar I-Pace with the grace, space and eco-pace that customers expect.” 

John Krafcik, Waymo CEO, added: “While we've been focused at Waymo on building the world's most experienced driver, the team at Jaguar Land Rover has developed an all-new battery-electric platform that looks to set a new standard in safety, design and capability. We're sure Waymo riders will enjoy the safe, premium and delightful experience that the self-driving I-Pace will provide.” 

The Waymo I-Pace will appear on the Jaguar stand at this week’s New York Motor Show.

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