Deep Dive
Why did Waymo's driverless cars face vandalism in San Francisco?
Tension over self-driving technology had been building after a series of incidents involving Waymo and Cruise vehicles, leading to public skepticism and frustration.
How has Waymo's technology evolved over the years?
Waymo has been methodically improving its self-driving technology since 2009, using a combination of sensors like radar, lidar, and cameras fed into machine learning software.
What significant milestone did Waymo achieve in October?
Waymo announced it was doing 150,000 paid rides every week across all its markets, up from just 10,000 in the summer of 2023.
Why is public acceptance crucial for Waymo's success?
A 2021 Pew Research Center survey found only about a quarter of Americans see widespread use of driverless cars as a good thing, highlighting the need for public trust and safety assurance.
How did the incident involving GM's Cruise impact Waymo?
After Cruise's permit was pulled due to safety concerns, Waymo became the only company allowed to operate a driverless car business in San Francisco, accelerating its expansion efforts.
What challenges does Waymo still face despite its success?
Waymo faces challenges like vehicles freezing in busy streets, interfering with emergency situations, and public skepticism, as well as an ongoing investigation by federal regulators over collisions.
How is Waymo planning to expand its reach?
Waymo is expanding through partnerships, like the one with Uber starting in 2025, and increasing its presence in cities like Austin and Atlanta.
- Vandalism and burning of a Waymo car in San Francisco's Chinatown
- Growing tensions over self-driving technology
- Incidents involving Waymo and Cruise vehicles causing traffic issues
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