Daniel Ho, Tesla’s former head of vehicle programs and new product introduction, has joined Alphabet’s Waymo as program director. This move comes amidst a wave of departures from Tesla, including several high-profile executives, following layoffs and a focus on the Robotaxi program.
A Waymo self-driving taxi briefly disrupted Vice President Kamala Harris’ motorcade in San Francisco, causing delays and highlighting the ongoing challenges faced by autonomous vehicle technology. The incident comes as Waymo expands its robotaxi services in major cities, but also faces criticism and incidents involving its vehicles.
Waymo, Alphabet’s self-driving car subsidiary, is reportedly in talks with Hyundai Motor to contract manufacture its robotaxis. This potential partnership could see Waymo utilize Hyundai’s Ioniq 5 electric vehicles for its 6th-generation self-driving technology, a shift from its previous plans to use Zeekr vehicles due to increased tariffs on EV imports from China.
Tesla’s manufacturing capabilities give it a significant advantage in scaling robotaxi operations compared to companies like Waymo, according to Ark Invest analyst Tasha Keeney. Tesla’s vertically integrated approach and lower vehicle cost could allow for quicker deployment and wider adoption of its robotaxi network. While Waymo is making progress, its smaller fleet and higher vehicle cost pose challenges for rapid expansion. Elon Musk also expressed optimism about Tesla’s progress in achieving full autonomy.
Waymo, Alphabet Inc.’s autonomous driving technology unit, has launched its sixth-generation hardware system for self-driving vehicles. The new system boasts improved sensor capabilities and enhanced performance, especially in winter conditions. The system features 13 cameras, four lidar sensors, six radars, and external audio receivers, providing a wider field of view for improved navigation and weather adaptability. This advancement comes as Waymo focuses on expanding its service offerings and addresses safety concerns related to autonomous vehicle deployment.
Waymo’s self-driving cars in San Francisco were causing a ruckus, honking incessantly at each other in a parking lot, keeping residents awake at night. After a failed software patch and a resident’s live stream documenting the issue, a second patch was released, finally silencing the honking robocars.
Kyle Vogt, former CEO of Cruise, expressed his approval of San Francisco Fire Chief Jeanine Nicholson’s retirement, attributing it to progress for autonomous vehicles. Nicholson, who has been a vocal critic of autonomous vehicle technology, recently acknowledged its presence and the need to find ways to work with it. Vogt’s remarks follow a long-standing debate surrounding the safety and effectiveness of autonomous vehicles in the city.
Waymo self-driving cars have been causing a commotion in a San Francisco parking lot, gathering at night and honking at each other, disrupting the sleep of nearby residents. The company has acknowledged the issue and is working on a fix.
Residents in San Francisco’s South of Market neighborhood are complaining about the incessant honking of Waymo’s self-driving cars, particularly during the early morning hours and evening rush hour. The honking seems to be triggered by the cars reversing into parking spots, disrupting sleep and causing annoyance for those living nearby. Waymo has acknowledged the issue and is working on a fix.
Waymo, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Alphabet, has reached a significant milestone with its robotaxis completing over 50,000 paid trips monthly in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. This achievement reflects the increasing adoption of autonomous technology in the mobility sector, as passengers embrace the convenience and safety of driverless transportation.
