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Case | HBS Case Collection | January 2014 (Revised March 2015)

Google Car

by Karim R. Lakhani, James Weber and Christine Snively

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Abstract

By 2013, Google, while not a traditional manufacturer of automobiles, had invested millions of dollars in its self-driving cars which had logged over 500,000 miles of testing. The Google management team faced several questions. Should Google continue to invest in the technology behind self-driving cars? How could Google's core software-based and search business benefit from self-driving car technology? As large auto manufacturers began to invest in automotive technology themselves, could Google compete? Was this investment of time and resources worth it for Google?

Keywords: Digital Services; innovation; technology; auto industry; Technological Innovation; Online Technology; Market Entry and Exit; Transportation; Auto Industry; United States;

Language: English Format: Print 30 pages EducatorsPurchase

Citation:

Lakhani, Karim R., James Weber, and Christine Snively. "Google Car." Harvard Business School Case 614-022, January 2014. (Revised March 2015.)

Related Work

  1. Case | HBS Case Collection | January 2014 (Revised March 2015)

    Google Car

    Karim R. Lakhani, James Weber and Christine Snively

    By 2013, Google, while not a traditional manufacturer of automobiles, had invested millions of dollars in its self-driving cars which had logged over 500,000 miles of testing. The Google management team faced several questions. Should Google continue to invest in the technology behind self-driving cars? How could Google's core software-based and search business benefit from self-driving car technology? As large auto manufacturers began to invest in automotive technology themselves, could Google compete? Was this investment of time and resources worth it for Google?

    Keywords: Digital Services; innovation; technology; auto industry; Technological Innovation; Online Technology; Market Entry and Exit; Transportation; Auto Industry; United States;

    Citation:

    Lakhani, Karim R., James Weber, and Christine Snively. "Google Car." Harvard Business School Case 614-022, January 2014. (Revised March 2015.)  View Details
    CiteView DetailsEducatorsPurchase Related

About the Author

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Karim R. Lakhani
Charles Edward Wilson Professor of Business Administration
Technology and Operations Management

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More from the Author

  • Case | HBS Case Collection | September 2017 (Revised March 2018)

    Great Lakes Banking Group: Data Management

    Shane Greenstein and Christine Snively

    In May 2016, Michael Rechtin, an expert in international data center law, advised global financial services firm Great Lakes Banking Group (GLBG) on its plans to upgrade its data centers. The bank’s data processing and storage systems were in need of an update, and since GLBG last made heavy IT investments in the late 1990s, the technology had changed considerably. GLBG sought Rechtin’s advice on whether or not it should build a new data center, pursue a wholesale colocation solution, rent space from a retail colocation provider, or store more data in the cloud.

    Keywords: Hardware; Infrastructure; Operations; Information Management;

    Citation:

    Greenstein, Shane, and Christine Snively. "Great Lakes Banking Group: Data Management." Harvard Business School Case 618-021, September 2017. (Revised March 2018.)  View Details
    CiteView DetailsEducatorsPurchase Related
  • Background Note | HBS Case Collection | November 2016 (Revised March 2018)

    Note on the Impact of Millennials on the Food System

    Jose B. Alvarez, James Weber and Natalie Kindred

    In 2016, the millennial generation (those age 19 to 35 in 2016), the largest generation by population in the U.S., was entering its prime home buying, family forming, earning and spending years. This generation was showing different beliefs and behaviors than previous generations—beliefs and behaviors that were having a significant impact on the overall economy and in particular on the food industry. This note explores the millennial generation, how it differs from previous generations, and examples of how it is impacting the food industry.

    Keywords: Agribusiness; millennials; food; consumer packaged goods; Food; Age; Consumer Behavior; Agribusiness; Demographics; Values and Beliefs; Consumer Products Industry; Agriculture and Agribusiness Industry; Food and Beverage Industry; United States;

    Citation:

    Alvarez, Jose B., James Weber, and Natalie Kindred. "Note on the Impact of Millennials on the Food System." Harvard Business School Background Note 517-064, November 2016. (Revised March 2018.)  View Details
    CiteView DetailsEducatorsPurchase Related
  • Technical Note | HBS Case Collection | March 2018

    Internet Data Capping Note (B)

    Shane Greenstein and Christine Snively

    The B note brings the reader up through early 2017 and addresses an informal review carried out by the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) on sponsored data and zero-rating data plans in the mobile broadband market.

    Keywords: telecommunications; Technology; Internet;

    Citation:

    Greenstein, Shane, and Christine Snively. "Internet Data Capping Note (B)." Harvard Business School Technical Note 618-061, March 2018.  View Details
    CiteView DetailsEducators Related
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