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Waymo to test its autonomous driving technology in over 10 new cities

reuters.com

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Re: Waymo to test its autonomous driving technology in over 10 new cities

#121

Post by dageshi »

djhn wrote: post #120
dageshi wrote: post #118

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've been thinking about this. In self driving world it no longer makes sense for a car to look like they do now. Instead I think they operate a bit like Coach and Horses used to. You the consumer own the "coach", you have it specced out how you want it, your choice of seating (hell even a bed?), your sound system, your big screen tv, whatever you want because you're a passenger not the driver. The "horses" are the s…

Ooh interesting vision! Are any companies pursuing this avenue?

The self driving bit has to be nailed down first I think, once that's done nothing I've described is even remotely difficult to implement, it's more a matter of peoples thinking around driving evolving.

I think it might go this way because people feel like they want to "own" their "cars". Especially in America it's a big part of the culture, so I can see being able to buy the coach part as being a popular compromise.

Powering electric cars is already cheaper, but right now they're less convenient, with self driving they become as convenient or more than gas vehicles. You no longer have to stop and charge anywhere because there's a fresh "horse" waiting to be hooked up while your existing one drives off to a charging station, all the downsides are automated away.

Re: Waymo to test its autonomous driving technology in over 10 new cities

#122

Post by cloudwalking »

htrp wrote: post #27
OnlineGladiator wrote: post #19

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I love that you included numbers, but that is for all of Alphabet's "other bets" which includes Waymo, so it's not entirely Waymo. It still helps give ballpark figures though.

isn't waymo the majority of alphabets other bets?

verily

Re: Waymo to test its autonomous driving technology in over 10 new cities

#123

Post by ugh123 »

kouru225 wrote: post #109
ugh123 wrote: post #79

Earlier quoted context omitted.

So you prefer human taxi drivers?

I prefer streets that don’t have traffic so pedestrians can walk freely, and watching these waymo cars trap themselves and cause 30 minute long traffic jams because their code accidentally put them in a holding pattern is a genuine nightmare

Right. This will never be improved

Re: Waymo to test its autonomous driving technology in over 10 new cities

#124

Post by OnlineGladiator »

cloudwalking wrote: post #122
htrp wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

isn't waymo the majority of alphabets other bets?

verily

Yeah, supposedly Verily had $559 MM in revenue in 2022, so total revenue for other bets (including Verily and Waymo) being 65% of that is pretty weird.

Re: Waymo to test its autonomous driving technology in over 10 new cities

#125

Post by [deleted] »

rwmj wrote: post #103
standardUser wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They're already the cheapest if they match prices because there is no tip required. In the long run they'll inevitably be cheaper because of higher utilization of their vehicles and (vastly) lower labor costs.

This is a misunderstanding of the economics of taxi firms. Taxi companies don't pay for purchase or depreciation of their cars (the drivers do), but Waymo does.

[deleted]

Re: Waymo to test its autonomous driving technology in over 10 new cities

#126

Post by standardUser »

rwmj wrote: post #103
standardUser wrote: post #76

Earlier quoted context omitted.

They're already the cheapest if they match prices because there is no tip required. In the long run they'll inevitably be cheaper because of higher utilization of their vehicles and (vastly) lower labor costs.

This is a misunderstanding of the economics of taxi firms. Taxi companies don't pay for purchase or depreciation of their cars (the drivers do), but Waymo does.

There are no drivers with Waymo. Believe it or not, a living annual wage for a person (or close to it) is vastly more expensive than the annual maintenance and depreciation on even a very expensive vehicle.

Re: Waymo to test its autonomous driving technology in over 10 new cities

#127

Post by autoexec »

8note wrote: post #106
JumpCrisscross wrote: post #2

"In addition to ongoing trips to Truckee, Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Upstate New York and Tokyo, the expansion includes testing in San Diego and Las Vegas, with more cities yet to be announced." Pitching my own book here, but I think Jackson Hole would be a great place for Waymo. It's clearly delineated, has basically no freeway driving, affluent residents and a constant influx of tourists for brand building. The on…

calgary could be a good spot theyd want to shut off on the odd snow day that makes lines invisible, but its a lot like phoenix on having big wide roads, and the places to consistently play with snow cover are pretty empty/safe to screw up in

> theyd want to shut off on the odd snow day that makes lines invisible

It'd sure suck if they go into cities run the local taxi companies and human drivers out of business only to shut down every time there's bad weather leaving people without access to transportation.

Re: Waymo to test its autonomous driving technology in over 10 new cities

#128

Post by kevlened »

dageshi wrote: post #117
danvoell wrote: post #80

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I feel like some people have been using "most profitable areas" instead of saying dense urban areas and upset that it might take a while to reach rural and suburban areas. Is that what you are saying? What business is not in the business of pursuing the most plausible profitable direction first?

I think the general public has believed that self driving would arrive as some big bang moment where it just "worked" in 95%+ of environments where people drive. One morning there'd be an announcement it was cracked and then in six months you'd be able to buy a new car with it. I don't think from either a business, technical or legal perspective google ever wants to sell or license their tech directly to a car being…

This doesn't align with what they've said publicly. The intent is to eventually make this technology available to own:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCY214KiwNs&t=1329s

Re: Waymo to test its autonomous driving technology in over 10 new cities

#129

Post by OnlineGladiator »

onlyrealcuzzo wrote: post #65
htrp wrote: post #27

Earlier quoted context omitted.

isn't waymo the majority of alphabets other bets?

In terms of revenue - but less so in terms of costs. I wouldn't be surprised if WayMo is losing Additionally - the majority of those losses could come from expansion efforts. I wouldn't be surprised if WayMo already has profitable unit economics.

I would be astonished if Waymo has profitable unit economics. They're probably closer to spending $10 for every $1 they make. I made my initial fortune working on self-driving cars and there are many reasons the revolution that was supposed to come 10 years ago has yet to arrive.

Re: Waymo to test its autonomous driving technology in over 10 new cities

#130

Post by dageshi »

kevlened wrote: post #128
dageshi wrote: post #117

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I think the general public has believed that self driving would arrive as some big bang moment where it just "worked" in 95%+ of environments where people drive. One morning there'd be an announcement it was cracked and then in six months you'd be able to buy a new car with it. I don't think from either a business, technical or legal perspective google ever wants to sell or license their tech directly to a car being…

This doesn't align with what they've said publicly. The intent is to eventually make this technology available to own: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCY214KiwNs&t=1329s

Yes, I know they've said that. I don't believe them. Or rather even if they do sell them I think it will be at a point where their robo taxi's are complete ubiquitous already.
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