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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

#41

Post by Sad90sNerd »

rufus_foreman wrote: post #27
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…

One of the last times I took a taxi, the taxi driver explained at length how he worked extra shifts so he could afford to buy meth which he would take in order to work more shifts which allowed him to buy even more meth which he would take in order to work more shifts etc. I won't be the first in line to take Waymo on a freeway but at some point the results will speak for themselves.

This is a good point. Life is full of risks and challenges, but I guess in my case I choose to trust in humanity in cases like these... god knows Ive seen enough production software in my life to be skeptical for two.

> I won't be the first in line to take Waymo on a freeway but at some point the results will speak for themselves.

Indeed - lets hope we do get to actually see the numbers in due time.

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

#42

Post by xnx »

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…

> Here is a litmus test: would you allow Waymo to drive schoolbuses with your children?

Waymo's obey all traffic laws and never drive tired, drunk, or distracted.

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

#43

Post by glaucon »

EcommerceFlow wrote: post #29
aantix wrote: post #9

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Have you seen FSD 12.5.1.3?

He obviously hasn't. The tech community is in for quite a shock with Tesla robotaxi's come out in a year or so and blow out the competition. One factor not discussed often is how much smoother FSD is compared to all other self driving. Especially noticeable when going from FSD to the free AutoSteer or GM Supercruise.

>The tech community is in for quite a shock with Tesla robotaxi's come out in a year or so

I, for one, will be surprised ... in fact put me down for "very surprised".

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

#45

Post by soramimo »

SoftTalker wrote: post #44
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 do they use Jaguars? Seems an unnecessary expense.

They're spending a lot on the sensors anyway, so they might as well invest in a super nice experience all around to make it worthwhile.

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

#46

Post by erikaww »

SoftTalker wrote: post #44
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 do they use Jaguars? Seems an unnecessary expense.

Overcoming stigma perhaps? Making it seem bougier

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

#47

Post by soramimo »

tomblomfield wrote: post #17
firloop wrote: post #11

Earlier quoted context omitted.

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.

IMHO we should start enforcing speed limits.

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

#48

Post by dyauspitr »

saddlerustle wrote: post #5
xnx wrote: post #3

The gap between Waymo and all other competitors in the self-driving space continues to widen.

AutoX and Pony.ai in China have been been offering rides to the public with no safety driver for much longer than Waymo

With zero public releases/data on crash information.

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

#49

Post by dyauspitr »

SoftTalker wrote: post #44
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 do they use Jaguars? Seems an unnecessary expense.

Minimal markup compared to the equipment already on there.

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

#50

Post by AlotOfReading »

xnx wrote: post #35
etaioinshrdlu wrote: post #16

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

I thought this as well, but I think it emerged in an Waymo interview that any weird thing that can happen on city street can also happen on a freeway and the reaction time is lower and the consequences higher on a freeway.

Freeways have some of the same challenges as streets, but not all of them. Treating the environment as if anything can happen at any time is just an "abundance of caution" thing. To use a real example, you don't get people walking up and throwing an egg at the side of your vehicle on controlled access freeways.
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