A year ago, Waymo unveiled its fifth-generation robotaxis based on the Jaguar I-Pace electric vehicle to replace the aging Chrysler Pacifica minivans. Now, it is ready to begin operations with its sixth-generation autonomous vehicles, produced in partnership with Geely’s Zeekr.
While Tesla has been promising self-driving vehicles for a few years, robotaxi companies are already offering paid driverless rides in several US cities. However, there is a stark difference between Tesla Fully autonomous driving software and what companies like Waymo and Cruise are offering. While Tesla is trying to crack self-driving in general, regardless of area or driving conditions, robotaxi companies have focused on special service areas.
Waymo's robotaxis cannot operate outside of geo-referenced service areas, while Tesla's FSD works everywhere, though not perfectly. In terms of autonomy levels, as SAE has defined them, Tesla is aiming straight for Level 5 autonomy, even though it is currently at Level 2. Meanwhile, Waymo is already at Level 4. The main distinction is the liability each company takes on. Tesla insists that the driver is fully responsible even if the software goes rogue. Meanwhile, Waymo robotaxis do not have a driver and everything they do is on Waymo as far as liability goes.
Waymo has not been spared controversy, as have other robotaxi companies, such as Cruise. Still, it’s impressive that Google’s sister company has expanded its reach and is already competing with Uber and other local transportation services in San Francisco and soon Los Angeles. Its Jaguar I-Pace robotaxis are nearly ubiquitous, sometimes to the dismay of residents, who consider them a nuisance.
Fear no more, because Waymo has already announced its next-generation robotaxis, a driverless pod developed in collaboration with Geely’s Zeekr. In a blog post, Waymo explained what makes the new vehicles special beyond having no steering wheel or pedals. The sixth-generation hardware promises higher performance and improved safety despite using fewer sensors.
Instead of 29 cameras, the new driverless cars have only 13, while the number of lidar sensors has been reduced from five to four. Despite this sacrifice, Waymo claims that its new robotaxis are capable of “See” up to 500 meters (1,640 feet) with overlapping fields of view, day and night, in all weather conditions. In addition to cameras and lidar, the sixth-generation sensor suite also includes six radar sensors and an array of external audio receivers (EARs), a fancy name for microphones.
Overlapping sensors provide a 360-degree view of the world and redundancy in all conditions. This allows the sixth-generation vehicles to perform better in winter conditions. Waymo also says the new cars are designed to run for long periods without manual intervention to clean the sensors. Whether driving on a buggy Texas road or in freezing temperatures, Waymo’s driverless pods should be able to maintain a clear view of their surroundings.
Sensor capabilities are only part of the solution to self-driving, with software being even more challenging. Waymo says its sixth-generation vehicles have already been tested for thousands of miles in the real world and millions more in simulation. It’s unclear when the new vehicles will enter commercial service. Hopefully, when they do, they won’t start honking at each other like current vehicles do in San Francisco.