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from the autonomous-automatic-automocars dept.
Waymo announces major expansion in Michigan, the cradle of the US auto industry
Waymo is expanding its presence in Michigan, the state synonymous with the US auto industry. The Google self-driving spinoff announced Tuesday that its plan to build a 200,000-square-foot manufacturing center and hire up to 400 employees over the next five years was just approved by the state's economic development corporation. It's a sign that Waymo is interested in gaining more control over its production process as it seeks to grow its business of deploying autonomous vehicles.
The Michigan Economic Development Corporation approved an $8 million incentive to Waymo to build its manufacturing plant in the state, The Detroit News reported. Under the deal, Waymo agrees to create a minimum of 100 new jobs in the state, but would receive the $8 million incentive only if it exceeds that minimum and creates up to 400 jobs. Total investment in the facility will be $13.6 million, MEDC says.
[...] In a blog post, Waymo said it would look to hire engineers, operations experts, and fleet coordinators. "This will be the world's first factory 100%-dedicated to the mass production of [Level 4] autonomous vehicles," the company said.
Also at TechCrunch.
Previously: Google's Waymo Plans to Launch a Self-Driving Car Service in December
Waymo Announces Limited Debut of "Driverless" Taxi Service in Phoenix, AZ
(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday January 23 2019, @05:24PM (2 children)
Will this driverless car factory be workerless? That would be a double whammy from Waymo.
#RobotOverlordsAreComing
(Score: 3, Informative) by takyon on Wednesday January 23 2019, @05:50PM (1 child)
I specifically switched from "Autonomous" to "Driverless" in the headline so you wouldn't make that joke.
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(Score: 1, Funny) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday January 23 2019, @05:53PM
And yet, here we are.
I was also considering a "these cars will sell themselves" joke.
(Score: 5, Funny) by Immerman on Wednesday January 23 2019, @05:50PM (3 children)
It's news to me that most factories even have drivers - since they mostly sit in one place firmly anchored to the ground, a driver seems rather pointless. Must be one of those jobs given to the boss's useless nephew.
(Score: 2) by TheFool on Wednesday January 23 2019, @07:15PM
Sure, most factories have slave drivers. We usually call them managers.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday January 23 2019, @07:15PM
Actually, most car factories do have drivers to move the cars to different lots once they're complete.
(Score: 2) by DannyB on Wednesday January 23 2019, @09:35PM
Yep. I was going to point out the ways of parsing: Driverless Vehicle Factories.
When trying to solve a problem don't ask who suffers from the problem, ask who profits from the problem.
(Score: 2) by Gaaark on Wednesday January 23 2019, @08:26PM (4 children)
1. They'll create 101 jobs, get the incentive, then layoff 100.
2. Profit!
3. Who cares. Profit made.
4. See 3.
5. Waymo car kills people, they use the incentive money to pay off families.
--- Please remind me if I haven't been civil to you: I'm channeling MDC. ---Gaaark 2.0 ---
(Score: 2) by takyon on Wednesday January 23 2019, @09:51PM
Will the remaining employee become the last human to roam the Earth?
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(Score: 2) by hendrikboom on Friday January 25 2019, @03:28PM (2 children)
400, not 100.
(Score: 2) by hendrikboom on Friday January 25 2019, @03:28PM (1 child)
Oh.. It said up to.
(Score: 2) by hendrikboom on Friday January 25 2019, @03:29PM
Will they have to return the money if they hire 401 workers? It won't be up to any more.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Wednesday January 23 2019, @10:20PM
I want my Johnny Cab!
(for you yung'uns, google 'Total Recall') :-)