Urmson quit? Wow. That's a bad sign. He was the guy who seemed to be keeping that project on track, making it better, more capable, safer, and not killing anybody. His boss, John Krafcik, came from Hyundai, and is an old-line car guy. He goes all the way back to the days of the old GM Fremont/NUMMI plant, the building Tesla now occupies. His statements are about "partnering" - he's saying that Google's place is to be a parts supplier to the auto industry.
Maybe Urmson just didn't want to move to Novi, MI, where Krafcik is moving the self-driving car effort.
Maybe Urmson just didn't want to move to Novi, MI, where Krafcik is moving the self-driving car effort.