Ford and Fiat Chrysler Automobiles, both deeply involved in the development of advanced technologies, have revealed their latest self-driving vehicles.

Waymo Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid side 7/8 view

Waymo Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid

Earlier this month, Fiat Chrysler Automobiles announced that it had completed production of 100 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans "uniquely built to enable fully self-driving operations." During assembly, modifications were made to the Pacifica's electrical, powertrain, chassis and structural systems to optimize their compatibility for Waymo's vehicle systems.

Waymo Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid rear 3/4 view

Those 100 Pacifica minivans are currently being retrofitted with Waymo's fully self-driving technology. To speed up the development process, Waymo and FCA co-located a portion of their engineering teams to a facility in southeastern Michigan. Vehicle testing was conducted at FCA's proving grounds in Chelsea, Michigan and Yucca, Arizona as well as Waymo's test sites in California.

Ford Fusion Hybrid autonomous development vehicle front 3/4 view

Ford Fusion Hybrid autonomous development vehicle

This week, Ford Motor Company announced that it would be unveiling a second-generation iteration of its Fusion Hybrid autonomous vehicle. Based on the same platform as the current generation autonomous Fusion that hit the streets three years ago, processing power on the latest vehicle has been increased by using new computer hardware.

Ford engineer working on Ford Fusion Hybrid autonomous development vehicle

The latest autonomous Fusion also contains electrical controls that, according to Ford, are "closer to production-ready" and feature "adjustments to the sensor technology (that) allow the car to better see what's around it."

Fleet of Ford Fusion Hybrid autonomous development vehicles

In addition, new Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) sensors are not only sleeker-looking, they have a more targeted field of vision. Because of this, Ford was able to reduce the number of roof-mounted sensors from four to two, while still maintaining the same data-gathering capability.

Ford engineers working on a Ford Fusion Hybrid autonomous development vehicle

Ford will be introducing the next-generation Fusion Hybrid autonomous development vehicle at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas and the North American International Auto Show (NAIAS) in Detroit, with both events taking place in January, 2017.

on the floor of the 2015 North American International Auto Show

2017 North American International Auto Show

Lot Pro will be on hand at the 2017 North American International Auto Show, so stay tuned for more information and images on (hopefully) both vehicles.