Can someone explain how Google's long running car program fits in? Does Googe license patents (or map data, or...) to companies? Is Google car a PR thing that

Can someone explain how Google's long running car program fits in? Does Googe license patents (or map data, or...) to companies? Is Google car a PR thing that isn't competitive with the auto industry? Is Google hoping to leapfrog over all the "assisted driving" tech to be the first fully autonomous car?