The head of Google's self-driving car project will speak at the inaugural Automobili-D portion of the 2017 North American International Auto Show.
DETROIT - The head of Google's self-driving car project will speak at the inaugural AutoMobili-D portion of the 2017 North American International Auto Show.
Based in the Cobo Center's atrium and adjoining Hall E, the AutoMobili-D exhibition will have more than 100 related companies showcasing the latest in autonomous driving, connected car technology, e-mobility, mobility services and urban mobility.
Google's John Krafcik will kick off the event on Sunday, Jan. 8, a day before the NAIAS press preview days get underway.
"John is a world-renowned thought leader when it comes to the future of the mobility industry," Sam Slaughter, 2017 NAIAS chairman, said in a release Tuesday. "Having John and Google kick off NAIAS with a keynote address underscores Detroit's global importance in the area of mobility."
Google's presence has been growing in southeast Michigan this year. Krafcik announced in May that the Alphabet, Inc. subsidiary's self-driving car project will open a technology development center in Novi.
Google's self-driving car program has already had team members working in the greater Detroit area, but Krafick said in May that "it's time to lay down roots."
The 53,000-square-foot development center will first be tasked with equipping the self-driving Chrysler Pacifica hybrid minivans it's getting as part of a partnership with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles.
The company has said it plans to hire more positions for the center, but so far has not given a headcount. Google has more than 500 employees working in Ann Arbor and Birmingham.
"For the past century, Detroit has been at the center of the automobile," Krafcik said in Tuesday's release. "As we look toward the next phase of mobility, it's clear that the Motor City will continue to play a pivotal role bringing together the best of what Detroit and Silicon Valley have to offer."
The inaugural AutoMobili-D conference will run Jan. 8-12, hosting panel discussions and symposiums alongside exhibitions.
Press preview days of the 2017 Detroit auto show are Monday, Jan. 9 and Tuesday, Jan. 10. Industry days are Jan. 11-12, and the show will be open to the public Jan. 14-22.