Hacker News Board Hacker News, browsed like a classic message board
Live data from Hacker News

California DMV approves map increase in Waymo driverless operations

dmv.ca.gov

Post reply on HN
Print view View original

91–100 of 167 posts

Re: California DMV approves map increase in Waymo driverless operations

#91

Post by alooPotato »

dragonwriter wrote: post #23
alooPotato wrote: post #6

why is there an approved map? like i get having a pilot somewhere but once that goes well (and we're way past that point), why isn't it just blanket approval everywhere. Why would one county be allowed waymos but not another. I get that they might not be approved in the high sierras but just make that a deny list not allow list. Or even just deny the specific conditions you're worried about (snow).

There's an approved map because the approval process requires the manufacturer to specify both areas and conditions they are applying for, and documents supporting that the vehicle is ready to be operated autonomously in those areas and conditions (which doesn't just include technical readiness, but also administrative readiness in the form of things like a law enforcement interaction plan, etc.) > like i get having…

My question is why they even have to apply for specific areas to begin with? Just approve the manufacturer for certain conditions and let them operate wherever they want.

Re: California DMV approves map increase in Waymo driverless operations

#92

Post by alooPotato »

throwaway48476 wrote: post #9
alooPotato wrote: post #6

why is there an approved map? like i get having a pilot somewhere but once that goes well (and we're way past that point), why isn't it just blanket approval everywhere. Why would one county be allowed waymos but not another. I get that they might not be approved in the high sierras but just make that a deny list not allow list. Or even just deny the specific conditions you're worried about (snow).

I suspect it's limited by what the request was for. Waymo has to create the high res map before they can offer service.

Right but what does that have to do with the DMV. Waymo should apply for certain weather conditions and then the DMV says yes or no, then they stay the hell out of the way. Let waymo operate whereever they want and expand however they see fit and whenever they feel ready.

Like the DMV is actually checking Waymos map of a new area is good to go or not. Its just administrative burden.

Re: California DMV approves map increase in Waymo driverless operations

#93

Post by jeffbee »

polishTar wrote: post #83
jerlam wrote: post #43

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I don't see any reason that individual Bay Area cities cannot pass laws against Waymo operating there. Why they would do so is a different matter. I'm hopeful though.

Municipalities are generally preempted from regulating matters of statewide concern. In CA, the state decided to have the CA DMV regulate operational safety and the CPUC regulate the commercial service. Individual cities are prevented from enacting local laws that encroach upon state authority.

The bar for "statewide concern" is also extremely low. It basically includes whatever the state government choose to pay attention to.

Re: California DMV approves map increase in Waymo driverless operations

#94

Post by jeffbee »

kfarr wrote: post #27

This is super awesome but to set expectations it appears that Waymo is quite limited by fleet capacity in all of its current operating zones, so as a practical matter it may be months or years before it operates in all these areas. If you're interested in this stuff I highly recommend this podcast, not affiliated with it I genuinely think it's a great source to hear about the behind the scenes of fleet operations to…

Their ground ops contractor Transdev has been hiring recently in Sacramento so if any new territory is coming soon, I expect it to be Sacramento.

Re: California DMV approves map increase in Waymo driverless operations

#95

Post by qwerpy »

hintklb wrote: post #84
njarboe wrote: post #8

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Competition does encourage action. Glad Tesla started rolling out their robotaxies.

Tesla is not competition to Waymo. There are 10 other companies that are currently testing without a driver. Those are competition. Tesla so far is a gimmick of self-driving with a safety driver that takes over once in a while. That's where Waymo was more than 5 years ago.

The recent version of FSD in my Tesla is pretty amazing. Press "Start FSD" when in my driveway, and 20 minutes later it arrives at my destination and parks, without any input from me the entire time. I was skeptical too about FSD for a while but I'm starting to believe. These days I pretty much only disengage it when I'm impatient that it's being too polite. Unsupervised isn't far off!

Re: California DMV approves map increase in Waymo driverless operations

#98

Post by kylehotchkiss »

trillic wrote: post #82
codethief wrote: post #35

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Jeez. How much is a Waymo gonna be?

I only do LAX if it’s cheaper/ faster than SAN. LAX is so much better connected in terms of direct flights because of the competition the cost/time is often worth it. I’d rather sit in a cab than get stuck in ATL/DTW/SLC.

LAX is better for flights to Asia, I don’t want a layover in SF ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Post reply on HN