Waymo asks the government to stop requiring steering wheels for autonomous cars
Waymo has asked federal regulators to speed up an overhaul of safety rules to accommodate self-driving cars. The Alphabet unit wants to find a workaround for current rules that require manual controls. General Motors has also proposed eliminating steering wheels and brake pedals.
Ex-Uber self-driving car whiz charged with stealing trade secrets from Google
Anthony Levandowski, the former head of Uber's self-driving car division, has been indicted on 33 criminal counts of stealing intellectual property. The American government claims he downloaded trade secrets from Google before leaving the company in 2016. He pleaded not guilty, and his lawyers claim he's innocent.
Waymo’s test riders offer honest opinions on its robo-taxi service
Waymo has been getting lots of feedback from test riders taking trips in its autonomous cars. Overall, the responses were usually very good, though judging by some comments — one rider described their experience as “downright alarming” — there’s still plenty of room for improvement.
Waymo takes its self-driving cars to Florida for testing in heavy rain
Extreme weather conditions still present big challenges for self-driving cars, which is why Waymo is taking its autonomous vehicles to Florida for testing in heavy rain during the hurricane season. The vehicles will begin trial runs on a closed course before moving to the state’s public roads.
Waymo found inspiration in airports for its Arizona self-driving car hub
When it decided to set up a self-driving car maintenance hub in Arizona, Waymo looked at how airports are run in order to make it work. The company also partnered with a large dealership chain to keep its autonomous test fleet on the road. Waymo has over 400 cars at the hub.
Google’s DeepMind is training Waymo’s self-driving cars like StarCraft II bots
DeepMind is teaming up with Waymo, a fellow unit of Google parent Alphabet, to train the neural networks of self-driving cars. The partnership is using the technique named population-based training, which was created as a way to speed up the learning process of computers playing StarCraft II.
Digital Trends Live: Google and Amazon call truce, IBM foldable watch, and more
On this episode of Digital Trends Live, we discuss the biggest trending tech stories of the day, including a Google and Amazon video service truce, an IBM foldable watch, Waymo’s robo-taxi perks, Amazon moves to be your home internet provider, Donkey Kong celebrates a birthday, and more.
Waymo explores perks for riders to set its robo-taxi service apart from rivals
With more than 60,000 autonomous vehicles on order, Waymo has big plans to expand its robo-taxi service. It's also thinking seriously about incentives that it can offer riders to persuade them to hop inside its cars. Early ideas include free Wi-Fi and music streaming through the car’s speakers via Google Play Music.
Robo-taxis take another step toward commercial use in California
Waymo is now allowed to take passengers in its self-driving cars in California as the company takes another step toward launching a robo-taxi service similar to the limited one it already offers in Arizona. Until now only safety drivers and Waymo engineers have been allowed inside its autonomous cars during test rides.
Nissan and Renault are the latest automakers to ally themselves with Waymo
Waymo is partnering with the Renault-Nissan-Mitsubishi Alliance to research uses for self-driving cars in France and Japan. This is the first time Waymo has considered deploying self-driving cars outside the United States. Waymo, Renault, and Nissan will focus on mobility services.
Waymo at last fires up the self-driving smarts of the Jaguar I-Pace
A year after inking a deal with Jaguar to use the I-Pace crossover for its self-driving program, Waymo has started testing the modified electric vehicle in driverless mode. The plan is to use the I-Pace for autonomous ridesharing services such as the one it’s already operating in Phoenix, Arizona.
Waymo’s huge autonomous trucks return to the roads of Arizona
Waymo is ramping up testing of its autonomous trucks with the relaunch this week of tests on freeways in Arizona. The company last tested there in 2017 before starting trials in Atlanta, Georgia, in 2018. Waymo is already familiar with Arizona as it carries out testing of its autonomous cars in Phoenix.
Lyft taps Waymo for driverless robo-taxi rides in Phoenix
Ridesharing company Lyft is about to begin offering a robo-taxi service in Phoenix, Arizona, thanks to its partnership with autonomous-vehicle specialist Waymo. It'll begin with 10 self-driving vehicles, with Lyft customers able to request rides through the app, in the usual way.
Digital Trends Live: Escooter safety, Swarm A.I., Spotify’s voice-enabled ads
On today’s Digital Trends Live, we look into dangers of using eScooters, Spotify tests voice-enabled advertising, Waymo promises that its autonomous vehicles will be able to see pedestrians and bicyclists, Swarm A.I., Microsoft’s Solitaire will be inducted into the video game hall of fame, and more.
Waymo wants you to know its autonomous driver recognizes children and cyclists
Self-driving car company Waymo published the first in a series of public-assurance promotions that depict safe behavior of Waymo's autonomous vehicles. The initial release includes videos that show how the Waymo "driver" -- the technology, not a human -- responds to school children and cyclists.
Waymo boosts robo-taxi plans with new service center in Arizona
Waymo has announced plans for a facility in Phoenix, Arizona, that will help to service, maintain, and grow its fleet of autonomous Waymo One cars. The vehicles operate as part of the company's robo-taxi ridesharing service that launched in the area toward the end of 2018.
Automakers are spending billions on self-driving technology people are afraid of
Automakers are spending billions of dollars on developing the technology that will power self-driving cars, but research shows consumers have no interest in giving up control. Will they ever recoup their investment? The future doesn't look bright in 2019, but the next decade will bring major perception changes.
Waymo wants to sell lidar sensors, but not to self-driving car companies
Waymo wants to make deals for its Laser Bear Honeycomb lidar sensor. The self-driving car unit of Google's parent Alphabet aims to partner with companies that have non-automotive applications for the 3D perimeter sensor. Waymo hopes to scale its self-driving technology in applications such as robotics and security.
Waymo’s self-driving prototype obeys a traffic cop’s hand signals
One of Waymo's self-driving prototypes successfully navigated a situation that leaves even some human drivers confused: an intersection whose traffic lights are down. It waited for the traffic cop to wave it on. The company began teaching its cars to interpret hand gestures in 2016 as a way to keep cyclists safe.
Waymo rules and Apple trails in California self-driving car benchmarks
Each year the State of California Department of Motor Vehicles releases reports of self-driving car disengagements for autonomous vehicles tested on public roads. Based on the most recent California data, Waymo had the best performance, GM Cruise came in second, and Apple's self-driving program was in last place.
Waymo may take a ride with Nissan-Renault for robo-taxi services
Autonomous car company Waymo is reportedly preparing to partner with the Nissan-Renault-Mitsubishi alliance to develop robo-taxis and other services linked to the technology. Waymo has already inked deals with several automakers, though this latest deal could help it to take its self-driving tech to more markets.
Waymo’s autonomous cars are coming under attack in Arizona
It's not just technological challenges that autonomous-car firms have to overcome. Waymo's testing of self-driving cars near Phoenix, Arizona, shows that they still have to win over some members of the public, too. Reports highlight a series of incidents where Waymo's cars and safety drivers have faced abuse.
Waymo becomes the first company to charge for rides in self-driving cars
Waymo has launched a commercial ridesharing service using self-driving cars in the Phoenix area. It's the first U.S. company to generate revenue by putting passengers in autonomous cars. Waymo One is only available to a select group of riders, but Waymo will expand the service to other riders in other cities.
DT Daily: Waymo’s driverless cars, ‘Fallout 76’ tips, and Racella
In today's installment of 'DT Daily,' we tackle reader comments and the latest headlines, including Waymo's forthcoming ridesharing service. We also present some tips for surviving the nuclear wasteland that is Fallout 76, and chat with singer Racella regarding her new EP, Dr. Dre, and more.
Safety driver in Waymo autonomous car causes collision with biker
Safety drivers are supposed to take control of a self-driving car when a potentially dangerous situation occurs that appears to be beyond the capabilities of the vehicle's autonomous technology. But when a driver in one of Waymo's cars recently took control, they caused an accident with a motorcyclist.
Waymo receives first permit to test fully driverless cars in California
Waymo has been given the green light by California to test fully driverless vehicles on the state's public roads. It means that Waymo can take its cars onto the roads without anyone behind the wheel, making it the first company to receive such a permit in the Golden State.
Not everyone is happy with Waymo’s self-driving cars, report says
Waymo's self-driving cars aren't perfect, according to a new report. They allegedly frustrate Arizona drivers with overly cautious maneuvers and unpredictable braking. Waymo says it's just trying to prioritize safety. But can the company get it together in time to launch its planned ridesharing service?
Waymo expands its partnerships in Phoenix, teams up with Walmart and Avis
Waymo, the former Google self-driving car project, is stepping up its efforts to get autonomous-driving tech ready for prime time. Waymo is offering Arizona residents rides in its fully self-driving cars. Now, the company is doubling down on its program with even more partnerships, with brands such as Walmart.
Autonomous cars: Waymo and Walmart partner on a grocery pickup service
Selected Walmart customers who shop for groceries online will be able to grab a free lift in one of Waymo’s autonomous cars to collect their order. To encourage shoppers in Phoenix, Arizona, to use the trial service, the retail giant will offer discounts on their orders.
Waymo self-driving cars are now covering 25,000 miles a day
Waymo's test fleet of self-driving cars has covered 8 million miles on public roads, and is now driving 25,000 miles a day, according to CEO John Krafcik. Waymo plans to launch an autonomous ridesharing service in Arizona later this year. It's also ordering tens of thousands of new cars.
Driverless cars: Waymo eyes Europe for launch of robot taxi services
Having achieved seven million miles of tests on public roads in the U.S., Waymo says it's now looking to introduce its autonomous-car technology in Europe. The company's boss said this week that it already has officials there investigating how local regulations might affect its efforts.
Waymo autonomous vehicles will reach 7 million test miles this week
Waymo just keeps burning up the pavement. On Tuesday, the company's chief business development officer announced that its fleet of autonomous vehicles will reach 7 million test miles driven by the end of this week. That means that Waymo's testing pace has accelerated significantly in the last month.
Waymo orders a huge number of self-driving cars for robot taxi services
Waymo has ordered a huge number of self-driving cars for its planned robot taxi service. It currently has 600 autonomous Chrysler Pacifica minivans on the road, but it's just ordered another 62,000. Yes, you read that right: 62,000. It's not clear when they'll be ready, or how it plans to deploy all of them.
Uber in partnership talks with Waymo for self-driving technology
Uber would like to work with Waymo, Google's self-driving car division. Uber's CEO Dara Khosrowshahi said the two companies are having discussions about partnering, but Waymo declined to comment. Calling Waymo an "incredible technology provider," Uber's CEO believes autonomous driving technology will be shared.