Google is further entrenching itself as a key player in the autonomous car race with a new tech center outside of Detroit. The Silicon Valley giant announced today on its blog that it is opening a self-driving technology center in Novi, Michigan. The 43,000 sq. ft. building will house its vehicle engineering and development team, and will facilitate collaboration with automotive partners on projects. Fiat Chrysler announced earlier this month that it will be working with Google to develop autonomous Pacifica minivans to expand the Internet company's fleet of self-driving test vehicles.
In 2006, Google announced plans to hire 1,000 employees in Michigan, and already employs more than 400 people in Ann Arbor and Birmingham. Last year the company decided to build a new corporate office near University of Michigan's North Campus to accommodate its forecasted growth, according to Detroit Free Press.
