Google spin-off Waymo is ordering "thousands" of new, self-driving vehicles as part of its program to test driver-less technology.
The Chrysler Pacifica hybrid cars will be deployed where the company is working on various pilots in what are believed to be 25 cities around North America.
The significance of the program (not least a desire to keep ahead of the competition regardless of wider, regulatory approval at scale) cannot be underestimated in the travel sector.
As some commentators have suggested, self-driving vehicles have huge ramifications for the industry, with use cases having an impact on various existing functions.
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These range from the sightseeing tour sector and arrangements in tourist spots for drop-off areas, to the effect on distribution of products by re-sellers of car rental services and the ability for hotels to organise transportation for guests.
Still, the most obvious area initially is likely to be in the ride-hailing/taxi services for the industry.
There is no suggestion as yet that the new suite of vehicles on order from Waymo will be made available directly to those likely to capitalize on such changes - but the hardware is certainly coming down the production pipe.