Google self-driving cars will finally take passengers

Google-run Waymo unveiled its new self-driving Chrysler Pacifica minivans at the North American Auto Show Sunday. SAN FRANCISCO -- Eight years and two million miles after Google began to build self-driving car technology, it's ready for passengers. Waymo, the search giant's renamed autonomous car company, will begin taking applications Tuesday from Phoenix-area residents who want to be among the hundreds of riders testing out an expanded fleet of Chrysler Pacifica Plug-In Hybrid minivans outfitted with Waymo's myriad autonomous car sensors. Select Phoenix residents have been testing Waymo's self-driving car service for the past few months, in anticipation of Waymo's announcement that it will make 600 Pacificas available to a few hundred testers in the Phoenix area. A range of automotive and technology companies have said they aim to produce self-driving cars for ride-hailing programs by around 2020.