Looks to me like they are trying to use the Android strategy of a free OS to the competitors who could be wiped out by Apple/Tesla/Uber, since this deal is apparently non-exclusive.<p>I can see it now: Ford - the new Samsung.
Url changed from <a href="http://www.theverge.com/2015/12/21/10641600/ces-2016-google-ford-autonomous-cars?utm_campaign=theverge&utm_content=chorus&utm_medium=social&utm_source=twitter" rel="nofollow">http://www.theverge.com/2015/12/21/10641600/ces-2016-google-...</a>, which points to this.