Waymo robotaxis are now giving rides on freeways in LA, SF and Phoenix

Post by TulliusCicero » Wed, Nov 12, 2025, 10:36 PM UTC

lumens wrote: post #41

NullHypothesist wrote: post #2

This is a huge sign of confidence that they think they can do this safely and at scale... Freeways might appear "easy" on the surface, but there are all sorts of long tail edge-cases that make them insanely tricky to do confidently without a driver. This will unlock a lot for them with all of the smaller US cities (where highways are essential) they've announced plans for over the next year or so.

Perhaps more a reaction to pressure from Tesla; the latest FSD builds show full autonomy is coming very soon. Without highway driving, Waymo would quickly be seen as a distant second in the race when the safety driver is removed from Robotaxis in Austin (supposedly before EOY 2025).

Post by TulliusCicero » Wed, Nov 12, 2025, 10:40 PM UTC

circuit10 wrote: post #54

s1mon wrote: post #10

How will Waymos handle speed limits on highways? In the city, they seem to stick to the rules. A large percentage of drivers in the bay area, including non-emergency police, drive well above the legal limit regularly. Unless Waymo sticks to the slow lane, it's going to be a weird issue.

As someone who doesn’t drive but has done a UK theory test - aren’t you supposed to stick to the “slow lane” (no matter how fast you’re going) unless you’re overtaking? And that’s why it’s not actually called the “fast lane” but the “passing lane”. So I don’t see why you would be in the passing lane unless you’re going faster than others anyway. And there are plenty of lorries and coaches (trucks and buses in US term…

Post by HPsquared » Wed, Nov 12, 2025, 10:49 PM UTC

onemoresoop wrote: post #310

HPsquared wrote: post #285

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Looking forward to when they get rid of traffic lights and the networked cars just whiz through and avoid hitting each other. They'll also seamlessly zip lanes together on the highway, and traffic waves will be a thing of the past. Maybe China will do it first.

No thoughts on pedestrians? With no traffic lights it'd be a total nightmare to be a pedestrian

Post by hn8726 » Wed, Nov 12, 2025, 10:57 PM UTC

AceJohnny2 wrote: post #267

AceJohnny2 wrote: post #266

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> and that "not" could be catastrophic Any different than with a human taxi driver? It's not about absolute reliability, it's about how well it compares to the alternative, which is human taxi drivers. And the thing is, you don't hear about human car accidents because it's so common that it's not worth making the news.

> you don't hear about human car accidents because it's so common that it's not worth making the news. Another very interesting thing about robotaxis is agency and blame. Taxi driver had an accident? Just that driver is suspect. Robotaxi had an accident? They're all suspect.

Post by tgsovlerkhgsel » Wed, Nov 12, 2025, 11:20 PM UTC

andsoitis wrote: post #289

astrange wrote: post #226

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I did have one drive straight through a big pothole in LA once, and I also felt like it chose extremely boring routes. But neither of those are very surprising. Oh, and it doesn't like to pull into hotel entrances but instead stops randomly on the street outside it.

> and I also felt like it chose extremely boring routes $$ opportunity: pay $10 extra and Waymo will choose more exciting route.