Lyft And Waymo Collaborate To Develop Self-Driving Cars

American self-driving technology firm Waymo has collaborated with ride-hailing start-up company Lyft. The objective of the deal between both the companies is to bring self-driving cars into the mainstream.

The collaboration between Waymo and Lyft is likely to have an adverse effect on the world's biggest ride-hailing company, Uber. Lyft is a long way adrift in the second position in the US and both the companies are bitter rivals.

In a statement, a Lyft spokeswoman said, "Waymo holds today's best self-driving technology, and collaborating with them will accelerate our shared vision of improving lives with the world's best transportation."

A Waymo spokesman said, "Lyft's vision and commitment to improving the way cities move will help Waymo's self-driving technology reach more people, in more places." The latest partnership highlights the cooperative nature of companies in the self-driving car sector.

Waymo and Lyft declined to reveal any further information about the deal. Lyft has also collaborated with General Motors to test Chevrolet Bolt autonomous cars with the Lyft's network in the next few years.

The latest collaboration also hints that the self-driving technology of Waymo has surpassed the research stage. And the company believes that the autonomous technology is ready to be implemented commercially.

Previously Lyft had stated that the company wants to develop its self-driving car technology and the collaboration with Waymo is an opportunity for the company to enter the market.