Waymo Launches New Robotaxi for All Weather

On Monday, Waymo announced the launch of its 6th generation self-driving technology, which aims to enhance the resolution, range, and computational capabilities of its autonomous vehicles. The new system features advanced sensors that improve navigation in challenging weather conditions such as heat, fog, rain, and hail. While the technology is still undergoing testing, Waymo plans to make it available to riders soon. The self-driving division of Alphabet, Google's parent company, has been expanding its services in major cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. Currently, the 5th generation Waymo Driver is operational, completing over 50,000 paid trips weekly across these locations using all-electric Jaguar I-Pace vehicles. Additionally, Waymo is testing autonomous rides on freeways in the Phoenix area, showcasing its commitment to expanding its service offerings. Despite recent high-profile incidents involving its vehicles, including collisions with a biker and a towed pickup truck, Waymo asserts that its technology is significantly safer than human drivers. The company claims its autonomous system is up to 3.5 times better at avoiding injury-causing crashes and twice as effective at preventing police-reported accidents in San Francisco and Phoenix. In a blog post, Waymo's vice president of engineering, Satish Jeyachandran, emphasized the safety features of the new sensor suite, which includes 13 cameras, 4 lidar units, and 6 radar systems. He noted that the system is designed for optimal performance at a lower cost, with a focus on safety. Waymo is committed to rigorous testing before the technology is made widely available, with updates to be shared on its social media platforms.