If you’ve recently spotted a Jaguar I-Pace SUV equipped with a unique suite of sensors driving around your city, you might have wondered, “what is a Waymo car?”. Waymo cars represent the cutting edge of autonomous vehicle technology. Originating from Google’s self-driving car project in 2009, Waymo has evolved into a leading company dedicated to making transportation safer and more accessible through fully autonomous driving. I recently had the opportunity to experience Waymo’s self-driving taxi service firsthand in Los Angeles, gaining valuable insights into this groundbreaking technology. This article delves into what Waymo cars are, how they work, and what it’s like to ride in one.
Waymo’s journey in autonomous driving began over a decade ago, accumulating millions of real-world miles and countless hours of simulation to refine its “Waymo Driver” – the autonomous driving system. Currently operating fully driverless ride-hailing services in Phoenix and San Francisco, with expanding access in Los Angeles, Waymo is bringing its vision of self-driving transportation to life. My week-long early access in LA provided a unique perspective on the current state and future potential of Waymo cars.
Decoding the Technology Behind Waymo Cars
What truly sets a Waymo car apart is its sophisticated technology stack. Waymo vehicles, currently utilizing the Jaguar I-Pace, are not simply retrofitted with aftermarket sensors; they are meticulously engineered to integrate a comprehensive suite of perception and computation systems. At the heart of “what is a Waymo car” is the Waymo Driver, comprised of an array of sensors working in concert to provide a 360-degree, detailed understanding of the vehicle’s surroundings.
Waymo employs 29 cameras strategically positioned around the vehicle to capture visual data, complemented by six radar sensors that are adept at tracking larger objects and gauging distances, especially in challenging weather conditions. However, the cornerstone of Waymo’s perception system is LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging). Waymo cars are equipped with four LiDAR sensors that emit laser pulses to create a high-resolution, three-dimensional map of the environment. Unlike camera-based systems that rely on ambient light, LiDAR operates effectively day and night, providing precise spatial awareness even in darkness. This multi-layered sensor approach is crucial for achieving full autonomy, surpassing the capabilities of standard driver-assistance systems found in many modern cars, which primarily rely on cameras and radar. While some, like Elon Musk, advocate for vision-only autonomous systems, the consensus in the industry leans towards the robustness and reliability offered by LiDAR and sensor fusion.
Stepping into a Waymo: The Rider Experience
Understanding “what is a Waymo car” extends beyond its technology to encompass the user experience. Requesting a Waymo ride is designed to be intuitive, mirroring the familiar process of using ride-sharing apps like Uber or Lyft. Through the Waymo app, you input your desired pickup and drop-off locations, and the system dispatches an available vehicle. The app offers granular control, allowing you to specify the precise pickup spot on the map and even choose the preferred side of the street for pickup, enhancing convenience and accuracy.
During my experience, the average wait time for a Waymo was around 15 minutes, slightly longer than typical Uber or Lyft waits in Los Angeles. Upon arrival, the Waymo vehicle, a distinctively branded Jaguar I-Pace, is unlocked via the app. Currently configured to seat four passengers (as the front driver’s seat is unoccupied), the interior prominently features stickers reminding passengers that “the Waymo driver is in control at all times,” reinforcing the autonomous nature of the ride.
Once inside, initiating the ride is simple, either through the app or the integrated infotainment screens. These screens serve a dual purpose: entertainment and transparency. Throughout the journey, they display a real-time visualization of what the Waymo Driver “sees” through its sensors. This augmented reality view showcases lane markings, surrounding vehicles, pedestrians, traffic signs, and, crucially, Waymo’s intended path, highlighted by a green line. This visual feedback instills confidence in the system, allowing passengers to understand and trust the vehicle’s actions.
Waymo in Action: Performance, Safety, and Public Perception
My initial apprehension about relinquishing control to a self-driving system quickly dissipated as I experienced Waymo’s capabilities firsthand. The foundation of this trust is bolstered by Waymo’s impressive safety record. Data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) indicates that Waymo has driven over 7 million miles, demonstrating a significant outperformance of human drivers in comparable scenarios. Specifically, Waymo has achieved a 57% reduction in police-reported crashes and an 85% reduction in injury-causing crashes compared to human benchmarks.
In my real-world testing, the Waymo car adeptly navigated various challenging road conditions. It accurately identified and responded to traffic cones and construction zones, safely yielded to emergency vehicles, and adjusted speed for speed bumps and traffic lights. A particularly impressive maneuver involved navigating around a tow truck obstructing multiple lanes, showcasing the Waymo Driver’s ability to handle unexpected obstacles.
Beyond its operational performance, “what is a Waymo car” also includes its social impact and public reception. Waymo vehicles often elicit curiosity and attention from other road users and pedestrians. It was common to see people recording Waymo cars with their phones at traffic lights or stopping to observe them in awe. Interactions with the public were frequent, with people often approaching to inquire about the experience. This heightened attention was particularly noticeable in places like my grandmother’s senior daycare, where the novelty of a driverless taxi sparked considerable interest.
While Waymo prioritizes passenger comfort with features like rear-seat climate control and infotainment options, there are areas for refinement. At times, the autonomous driving system can feel somewhat robotic, exhibiting hesitation or indecisiveness during complex maneuvers like unprotected left turns. Steering inputs can also be abrupt, especially when encountering sudden changes in lane markings. Furthermore, the current Waymo system appears to lack nuanced chassis control, sometimes missing potholes and bumps, and tends to favor the less smooth rightmost lane. Another current limitation is Waymo’s operational constraint of not driving on freeways with passengers, which can extend travel times for longer distances in sprawling cities like Los Angeles.
Despite these minor shortcomings, my overall experience with Waymo was overwhelmingly positive. During over 150 miles of riding, only one significant issue arose when the vehicle encountered a communication impasse on a narrow road and required remote assistance from customer service. Importantly, at no point did I feel unsafe. If anything, Waymo’s driving style leans towards excessive caution, prioritizing safety even if it occasionally compromises ride comfort.
Waymo’s commitment to safety is further underscored by its extensive safety studies. One notable study involved simulating fatal crash scenarios and substituting both the at-fault and affected vehicles with the Waymo Driver. The results were compelling: Waymo avoided 100% of collisions when placed in the initiator role and, remarkably, anticipated and mitigated human errors in the responder role, preventing 82% of crashes and reducing the severity of the remainder. These findings strongly suggest that Waymo’s autonomous system can indeed perceive and react to challenging situations more effectively than human drivers.
The Future Landscape of Waymo and Autonomous Driving
In conclusion, “what is a Waymo car?” is more than just a vehicle; it’s a glimpse into the future of transportation. My experience highlighted a technology that is already remarkably capable and safe, yet still evolving. As Waymo continues to refine its system, incorporating more human-like driving nuances and improving communication with human drivers, the passenger experience is poised to become even more seamless and comfortable.
Addressing the high costs associated with autonomous vehicle hardware is crucial for wider adoption. However, if Waymo can overcome this economic hurdle, the potential benefits are substantial. Operating a 24/7 fleet of driverless vehicles and eliminating labor costs could give Waymo a significant competitive edge in the future ride-sharing market. Waymo represents a transformative step towards safer, more efficient, and potentially more accessible transportation for everyone.
