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Introduction
Waymo, the self-driving unit of Alphabet, has released its 6th generation robotaxi, boasting better performance at a lower cost. This latest update aims to reduce system cost while delivering more resolution, range, and compute power to enable more capabilities. With its 5th-generation robotaxi already serving over 100,000 paid trips every week across its deployment sites, Waymo is poised to further expand its service to new cities and environments.
Waymo Rolls Out 6th Generation Robotaxi
Waymo has released its 6th generation robotaxi, designed to reduce system cost while delivering more resolution, range, and compute power. The company optimized this new sensor suite for greater performance at a significantly reduced cost, providing the Waymo Driver with overlapping fields of view, all around the vehicle, up to 500 meters away, day and night, and in a range of weather conditions.
Waymo’s vehicles are already serving more than 100,000 paid trips every week across its deployment sites using its 5th-generation robotaxi, which was released in March 2020. The company says this system has been crucial in helping it scale its service to some of the densest cities in the U.S. Its latest robotaxi update aims to reduce system cost while delivering more resolution, range, and compute power to enable more capabilities.
What’s New in the 6th Generation Robotaxi?
The 6th generation robotaxi is equipped with 13 cameras, 4 lidar, 6 radar, and an array of external audio receivers (EARs). The company optimized this new sensor suite for greater performance at a significantly reduced cost. It provides the Waymo Driver with overlapping fields of view, all around the vehicle, up to 500 meters away, day and night, and in a range of weather conditions.
The company can swap out various sensing components to match the specific conditions of each operating environment, like adjusting sensor cleaning for vehicles in colder climates. Speaking of colder climates, you might notice the cities Waymo has deployed its robotaxis in are typically warm throughout the year. This is something its latest generation vehicle could change, the company said.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: What’s new in the 6th generation robotaxi?
The 6th generation robotaxi is equipped with 13 cameras, 4 lidar, 6 radar, and an array of external audio receivers (EARs). The company optimized this new sensor suite for greater performance at a significantly reduced cost.
Q2: How does the 6th generation robotaxi perform in extreme weather conditions?
Waymo’s current system allows it to provide safe and reliable service to riders in the cities it operates, even in extreme heat, fog, rain, and hail. Through regular road trips to newer cities, Waymo says it has deepened its understanding of winter weather’s impact on its technology and operations, and applied these insights directly to its 6th generation system.
Q3: How does Waymo’s 6th generation robotaxi compare to its previous generations?
Waymo’s 6th generation robotaxi offers better performance at a lower cost. The company optimized this new sensor suite for greater performance at a significantly reduced cost, providing the Waymo Driver with overlapping fields of view, all around the vehicle, up to 500 meters away, day and night, and in a range of weather conditions.
Q4: What’s the future of Waymo’s robotaxi service?
Waymo plans to deploy its robotaxis in new cities faster. The company says safety is its guiding principle, and its system’s performance in simulation shows promising indications that Waymo is on track to begin operation without a human behind the wheel in about half the time.
Q5: How does Waymo’s 6th generation robotaxi compare to other autonomous vehicle companies?
Waymo is a clear leader in the field of autonomous vehicles. While there are other companies operating in the U.S., such as GM’s self-driving unit Cruise and Zoox, Waymo’s 6th generation robotaxi offers better performance at a lower cost, making it a strong competitor in the market.
Conclusion
Waymo’s 6th generation robotaxi offers better performance at a lower cost, making it a strong competitor in the market. With its optimized sensor suite and advanced technology, Waymo is poised to further expand its service to new cities and environments. As the company continues to innovate and improve its technology, it’s likely to remain a leader in the field of autonomous vehicles.
