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Waymo to begin testing on San Francisco freeways this week

techcrunch.com

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Re: Waymo to begin testing on San Francisco freeways this week

#11

Post by firloop »

tomblomfield wrote: post #7

I’m a big Waymo fan. Some of my thoughts; Waymos are one of the first things that my visitors to SF want to try. It feels like living in a science-fiction future. The ride and navigation feels very smooth - after the novelty of having no driver in the front seat wears off, you become accustomed to the experience surprisingly quickly. In comparison, I found the Cruise driving experience pretty uncomfortable and stress…

As I've mentioned on another thread, I just wish Waymo drove faster. They often don't keep up with the pace of traffic.

Re: Waymo to begin testing on San Francisco freeways this week

#12

Post by panarky »

yieldcrv wrote: post #8
someonehere wrote: post #6

I continue to use them instead of Lyft or Uber. Same price practically for me when I commute around SF. I love it.

Why, if its not cheaper, what is the value add (if you’re not female as another commenter pointed out) I routinely have as little interaction with the driver as I want

1.) Waymos are safer than human-driven rideshare vehicles

2.) The vehicles are standardized, comfortable and clean

3.) You can play your own music or none at all, roll down the windows or leave them up, while an Uber driver's preferences might not match your own

Re: Waymo to begin testing on San Francisco freeways this week

#13

Post by tomblomfield »

yieldcrv wrote: post #8
someonehere wrote: post #6

I continue to use them instead of Lyft or Uber. Same price practically for me when I commute around SF. I love it.

Why, if its not cheaper, what is the value add (if you’re not female as another commenter pointed out) I routinely have as little interaction with the driver as I want

My Ubers often smell very strongly of the food the driver has been eating.

The driver is often on a call for the entire journey, which is annoying.

It’s often much colder or warmer than I’d ideally like.

An extreme case, but I once had a driver stop a ride, jump out of the car and pull the driver out of the car in front. They proceeded to have a fist fight. The other guy had honked at him for blocking the road or something.

I’d much prefer a computer to drive me around.

Re: Waymo to begin testing on San Francisco freeways this week

#14

Post by BadHumans »

panarky wrote: post #12
yieldcrv wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why, if its not cheaper, what is the value add (if you’re not female as another commenter pointed out) I routinely have as little interaction with the driver as I want

1.) Waymos are safer than human-driven rideshare vehicles 2.) The vehicles are standardized, comfortable and clean 3.) You can play your own music or none at all, roll down the windows or leave them up, while an Uber driver's preferences might not match your own

Citation for 1?

Re: Waymo to begin testing on San Francisco freeways this week

#15

Post by sva_ »

panarky wrote: post #12
yieldcrv wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Why, if its not cheaper, what is the value add (if you’re not female as another commenter pointed out) I routinely have as little interaction with the driver as I want

1.) Waymos are safer than human-driven rideshare vehicles 2.) The vehicles are standardized, comfortable and clean 3.) You can play your own music or none at all, roll down the windows or leave them up, while an Uber driver's preferences might not match your own

4.) Introvert coming from a social event needing to recharge batteries

Re: Waymo to begin testing on San Francisco freeways this week

#17

Post by tomblomfield »

firloop wrote: post #11
tomblomfield wrote: post #7

I’m a big Waymo fan. Some of my thoughts; Waymos are one of the first things that my visitors to SF want to try. It feels like living in a science-fiction future. The ride and navigation feels very smooth - after the novelty of having no driver in the front seat wears off, you become accustomed to the experience surprisingly quickly. In comparison, I found the Cruise driving experience pretty uncomfortable and stress…

As I've mentioned on another thread, I just wish Waymo drove faster. They often don't keep up with the pace of traffic.

Yeah I think you have to change the traffic laws for that to happen.

AFAIK, they strictly follow the speed limit, which feels too slow when everyone else is speeding.

Re: Waymo to begin testing on San Francisco freeways this week

#18

Post by SECProto »

etaioinshrdlu wrote: post #16

Expecting this to go well generally because freeways are pretty much always easier to self-drive than city streets!

Freeways are much, much less forgiving of abrupt speed changes and braking, which is something waymo (used to) have quite an issue with. Moving to freeways shows they are confident that won't be an ongoing issue.

Re: Waymo to begin testing on San Francisco freeways this week

#19

Post by Sad90sNerd »

I don't understand why people are so eager to give up autonomy. I doubt the software is certified in any meaningful way (see DO-178B), the algorithms are unknown, and the NHTSA sits on its hands whenever these vehicles have accidents.

Here is a litmus test: would you allow Waymo to drive schoolbuses with your children? I know I certainly will never allow my family or myself to get into a metal box going 80 mph without a driver.

Re: Waymo to begin testing on San Francisco freeways this week

#20

Post by gosub100 »

Sad90sNerd wrote: post #19

I don't understand why people are so eager to give up autonomy. I doubt the software is certified in any meaningful way (see DO-178B), the algorithms are unknown, and the NHTSA sits on its hands whenever these vehicles have accidents. Here is a litmus test: would you allow Waymo to drive schoolbuses with your children? I know I certainly will never allow my family or myself to get into a metal box going 80 mph withou…

think of the children!
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