Google will soon have 100 new self-driving minivans on the road

Google is about to put about 100 new self-driving minivans on the road through a partnership with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.

This is the first time Google has worked directly with an automaker to create its self-driving vehicles. Previously, the company built its test fleet by independently buying Lexus SUVs and retrofitting them with its technology and by building a second model completely from scratch.

In this case, FCA will work closely with Google's team to specifically design minivans where it will be easy to install its self-driving systems, from both a hardware and software perspective.

"Collaborations like these are an important part of realizing the potential of self-driving technology to improve road safety and make transportation more accessible for millions of people," the company writes in a blog post announcing the news.

Google says that it hopes the first new cars will be on the road by the end of the year.

Here's the full statement from Google:

NOW WATCH: Uber is making customers pay for having drivers wait

Please enable Javascript to watch this video