Waymo Introduces Generation 6 Self-Driving Technology
Waymo, the self-driving car unit of Alphabet, has unveiled details about its newest “generation 6” autonomous driving technology. Integrated into Geely Zeekr electric vehicles, the new system is designed to navigate a more diverse range of weather conditions while reducing the need for expensive cameras and sensors.
Satish Jeyachandran, Waymo’s vice president of engineering, stated that the team is “confident we can bring this generation to market much faster than the prior generation,” attributing this to advancements in machine learning and semiconductor performance.
The company invited CNBC to its Mountain View, California, facility to showcase the new robotaxis in development.
Waymo’s commercial robotaxi service first launched in late 2018 in the U.S. Previously, Waymo integrated its driverless systems into Chrysler Pacifica hybrid minivans and Jaguar I-PACE SUVs.
As Waymo works to expand its existing Waymo One service across Sunbelt cities including San Francisco, Phoenix, Austin, and Los Angeles, executives are sharing details about the forthcoming robotaxis. Currently, Waymo facilitates about 50,000 paid driverless trips each week, mainly in San Francisco and Phoenix. In June, the company removed its waitlist, opening up rides to all San Francisco users. To date, Waymo has completed over 2 million trips.
Alphabet announced a fresh $5 billion investment in its autonomous vehicle unit last month. Jeyachandran explained that the capital will primarily be used for scaling operations, including integrating the new robotaxis into its fleet once Generation 6 testing and validation are complete.
The forthcoming Waymo-Zeekr robotaxi has a boxier design, similar to the existing Waymo I-Pace SUVs. The Zeekr features a more accessible interior, including a low step, a high ceiling, and increased legroom between rows of seats.
Waymo has developed custom sensors and software, including lidar and radar, that provide the vehicle’s system with a “360 view” of its surroundings, allowing it to identify and avoid obstacles. The sensors also have wipers to clear away dirt and precipitation.
To reduce robotaxi costs, Waymo has decreased the number of onboard cameras from 29 to 13 and lidar sensors from five to four. The company is currently testing Generation 6 on public roads with professional drivers.
Testing and validation are also being conducted in Detroit, Buffalo, and New York to assess the performance of the driverless cars in varying traffic and weather conditions.
While commercial robotaxi services from Didi and Pony.ai are operating in China, Waymo faces limited competition in the U.S. domestically. GM-owned Cruise has encountered setbacks, temporarily removing its driverless vehicles from the road. Uber and Ford discontinued earlier driverless efforts. Tesla is expected to unveil its “dedicated robotaxi” in October.
