In the realm of autonomous driving electric vehicles (EVs), Waymo has unveiled details of its “Generation 6” self-driving technology, marking a major leap forward in the development of robotaxis. 

According to Waymo, the new system, integrated into Geely ZEEKR EVs, aims to improve performance across a wider range of weather conditions while reducing costs through optimized hardware. The company showcased the new robotaxis at its Mountain View, California garage, highlighting the EV’s’ boxier design and more accessible interior features, including a low step and increased headroom.

Satish Jeyachandran, Waymo’s vice president of engineering, expressed confidence in bringing this generation to market faster than its predecessors, citing advancements in machine learning and semiconductor performance. 

A key improvement in the Generation 6 system is the reduction in the number of sensors without compromising safety or performance. The new setup includes 13 cameras (down from 29), 4 lidar sensors (reduced from 5), 6 radar units, and an array of external audio receivers. This streamlined configuration is designed to provide a 360-degree view of the robotaxi’s surroundings up to 500 meters away, day and night, in various weather conditions.

Moreover, Waymo has invested heavily in custom sensor development including lidar and radar technologies. The new sensors feature wipers to clear dirt and precipitation, enhancing their reliability in harsh weather. The company has also focused on improving the system’s performance in winter conditions, a crucial step towards expanding its operational capabilities.

Notably, the unveiling comes as Waymo scales its Waymo One service in U.S. cities including San Francisco, Phoenix, Austin, and Los Angeles. Currently, the company provides around 50,000 paid driverless trips weekly, primarily in San Francisco and Phoenix, and has completed over 2 million trips to date. To support this growth, Alphabet recently announced a fresh $5 billion investment in Waymo.

Read More: Google Doubles Down on Self-Driving Technology With $5 Billion Waymo Investment

Furthermore, Jeyachandran indicated that the new capital would be used primarily for scaling operations, including adding the new robotaxis to Waymo’s fleet once testing and validation are complete. 

As of now, Waymo’s Generation 6 system has already undergone thousands of miles of real-world testing and millions more in simulation. The company claims that its collective learning approach across its fleet has greatly reduced the miles needed to train and validate new models, potentially allowing for faster deployment of driverless EVs in new areas.

With the introduction of Waymo’s Generation 6 technology, it represents substantial progress in the evolution of autonomous EVs that focuses on bringing safer, more efficient, and more accessible robotaxi services to a broader range of environments and users shortly.

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