Google Waymo self-driving prototype
Google Waymo self-driving car FireflyWaymo

Alphabet Inc. subsidiary Waymo, formerly Google's self-driving car unit, had deployed its fully self-driving cars on the public roads back in 2015. Nicknamed Firefly by Google officials, the cute looking bubble car cruised on public roads with the help of custom sensors, computers, steering, and braking, but no steering wheel or pedals.

Also read: Google ties up with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles for self-driving car project

It was a milestone achievement for Waymo when Firefly completed the self-driving trip with Steve Mahan on the streets of Austin neighborhood with no controls or human backup. However, just like the actual firefly, the Google's self-driving car, too, has got a short life span.

As part of moving to the next phase of the project, Waymo has decided to bid adieu to Firefly units. From the beginning, Firefly was intended as a platform to experiment and learn and not for mass production, says Waymo. Instead, the company will focus on integrating the latest technology into vehicles like new self-driving Chrysler Pacifica minivan. For the uninitiated, Google joined forces with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) in May 2016 to integrate the former's self-driving technology in Chrysler van.

Google Waymo
Google Waymo FireflyWaymo

By focusing on the mass-produced vehicles like the Pacifica minivan, we'll be able to bring fully self-driving technology to more people, more quickly, read Waymo's statement. The Pacifica minivans are equipped with custom-built radar, LiDAR and vision systems and an all-new AI computer platform. Most of these technologies were tried and tested in the Firefly models. While the Fireflies were limited to 40kmph speed during its run, Pacifica runs up to 185kmph with self-driving techs. Google readied an initial fleet of 600 self-driving Pacifica minivans.

What will happen to the exiting Fireflies?

Google says Firefly will take a road trip to the Arizona Science Center in Phoenix in August. In October, it will head to the The Thinkery in Austin, Texas to commemorate the two-year anniversary of Steve Mahan's fully self-driving ride. A couple of Fireflies will be on display at the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, CA and the Design Museum in London.