Imagry | Autonomous Driving’s Post

Waymo was in the news this month with a mix of events highlighting both the progress made in autonomous driving and the challenges still ahead. 🚕 Footage of a Waymo taxi responding to a police officer’s hand gestures was shared on social media. This is important progress toward understanding the complex human-environment the AI must fit into.  (link in the comments 👇) 🚕 Wyamo shared that they cover over 50,000 autonomous miles every week. This is an impressive figure, and an important one since scale is critical for a commercially viable service. Yet, questions about unit economics and the ROI on the massive investment in Waymo to date ($5.5B) are still unanswered. 🚕 NHSTA launched an investigation of Waymo crashes and traffic violations (Waymo is not alone in this - NHSTA launched investigations into four other AV companies). There is also more regulation of AVs looming, which is good overall but may introduce new challenges. Waymo is tackling the most complex use case for autonomous vehicles: transporting people in heavy, mixed traffic, on flexible routes. Even with its impressive progress, Waymo is still closer to a controlled run than a financially viable mass service. Well-defined use cases with a clear business need seem a significantly faster route to a full-blown commercial service. #autonomousvehicles #driverless #futuremobility DriveU.auto Doron Elinav Dor Tzabari

Autonomous vehicles are transforming the way we think about transport – but the road to widespread adoption comes with risks and legal implications. The recent surge in AI-powered technologies, like Waymo, highlights how autonomous vehicles are advancing rapidly. But as these technologies hit the road, we must also consider the critical role of risk management and legal frameworks to ensure their safe integration. From cybersecurity challenges to liability questions in the case of accidents, it’s clear that the transition to a future powered by autonomous transport is one that requires experts across fields – from law and public policy to risk management and data security – to shape a sustainable and secure energy future. Read more about Waymo and AVs in this recent Forbes article: https://lnkd.in/edtkBMaf #EnergyTransition #AutonomousVehicles #AVs Natalie Taylor Arya Shinde Prue Vines Rebecca Green

On why we need the perspective of social sciences, especially when thinking about 'interaction' with technology. Usability is not everything (while very important) — understanding the co-creation/ negotiation of social meanings and *context* of use is just as needed. What does it mean to 'drive a car'? How are we negotiating space in the cities with other road users? could be key questions here. The challenge is, how can we create space for questions like these in the rapid agile delivery cycle? That's the one I haven't been able to answer for myself yet, after 3 years in the field. Technically, that's what discovery could be for, but the common expectation of it having a v. short timeline and ending on ideas for action to lead into alpha/ beginning to build and experiment VS building open ended understanding of the context as value in itself often makes this difficult imo. Are we always aware or reflective about how the current dominant framework of delivery forces us into certain lines of inquiry in user research, and closes off others? My intuition tells me that the majority of user researchers will feel this tension at some point in their career. Have you? How do you work with it? Have you found a way to carve our space for research into social meaning while navigating expectations of extracting 'user needs' or 'requirenments' as a user researcher? I know I often try to introduce even just a bit of that perspective into projects by stealth 🕵♂️ My suspition is that some leave the role to be able to do so more deeply within other frameworks - e.g. social research and facilitation within civil society organisations and the third sector. Discussion welcome!

Driverless cabs like Waymo have been gaining momentum in the cities of San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. With the rising interest in these kinds of autonomous vehicles, many wonder and fantasize if people in Asian countries like India can enjoy the idea of driverless cabs. However, it comes with a plethora of questions. Would they work on India's inconsistent roads? How the traffic filled with chaos and honking culture, with no discipline in lanes would be handled? But what would this mean for India's sprawling driver base and infrastructure? In this blog, we will take a look at driverless cabs in India like Waymo are a suitable option to explore in the country. Let’s consider the hazards: See Report: https://lnkd.in/gT-prAk7 #driverlesscars #driverless #DriverlessTaxi #Waymo #waymonews #sanfransisco #losangeles #cabs #cabservice #technology #technologyinnovation #technologynews #technologies #trending #trendingnews #virals #viralnews #phoenix #indian #autonomousdriving #autonomous #dreams #reality

The Pulse on AI - CSPARNELL Cop Pulls Over Driverless Waymo Robotaxi: The Road to Autonomous Traffic Law What is the topic about? A recent incident in Phoenix, Arizona, brought attention to the evolving landscape of autonomous vehicles. A viral video captured a police officer pulling over a driverless Waymo robotaxi for driving on the wrong side of the road. The confusion ensued when the officer discovered the car had no driver and had to communicate with a Waymo support representative instead. Why is it important? This incident underscores the growing presence of autonomous vehicles on our roads and highlights the current limitations and challenges of this technology. As companies like Waymo and Tesla continue to develop self-driving cars, incidents like this expose the need for updated traffic laws and regulations that can accommodate driverless technology. How does it impact society? The emergence of autonomous vehicles promises significant benefits, including reduced traffic accidents, increased mobility for individuals who cannot drive, and improved traffic flow. However, incidents like this one reveal the gaps in our current legal and regulatory frameworks. Questions arise about accountability and enforcement: Who gets fined or held responsible when a self-driving car breaks the law? How can we use this today or in the future? Today's society must begin to address these legal and regulatory challenges to fully integrate autonomous vehicles. This involves updating traffic laws, developing new enforcement strategies, and ensuring that autonomous technology can navigate complex road scenarios accurately. Continuous improvement in AI and machine learning is crucial to avoid incidents caused by inconsistent signage or unexpected obstacles. Conclusion The incident in Phoenix is a glimpse into the future of transportation, showcasing both the potential and the pitfalls of autonomous vehicles. As the technology evolves, so must our laws and infrastructure. It’s a reminder that while the road to fully autonomous driving is promising, it is also fraught with challenges that need careful consideration and action. #AutonomousVehicles #Waymo #SelfDrivingCars #TrafficLaws #AI #FutureOfTransport #ThePulseOnAI

🚨 Waymo unveils Safety Data Hub with Record Rider-Only Miles and Major Crash Reductions Here’s what you need to know: 1. 212% 𝗜𝗻𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗶𝗻 𝗥𝗶𝗱𝗲𝗿-𝗢𝗻𝗹𝘆 𝗠𝗶𝗹𝗲𝘀 Since December 2023, Waymo’s fleet has logged over 22.2 million miles across four cities—up from 7.1 million just eight months ago. This rapid expansion demonstrates the increasing real-world use of autonomous vehicles, especially in cities like Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Austin. 2. 85% 𝗥𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗶𝗻 𝗜𝗻𝗷𝘂𝗿𝘆-𝗖𝗮𝘂𝘀𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀 Waymo’s data shows that its driverless vehicles are 6.7 times less likely than human drivers to be involved in injury-causing crashes. 3. 43% 𝗼𝗳 𝗖𝗿𝗮𝘀𝗵𝗲𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝘃𝗼𝗹𝘃𝗲 𝗠𝗶𝗻𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗹 𝗜𝗺𝗽𝗮𝗰𝘁 Nearly half of Waymo’s reported crashes involved a Delta-V (change in velocity) of less than 1 mph—mostly minor bumps. This helps reshape public perception, making it clear that not all crashes are created equal. 4. 84% 𝗙𝗲𝘄𝗲𝗿 𝗔𝗶𝗿𝗯𝗮𝗴 𝗗𝗲𝗽𝗹𝗼𝘆𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝘀 Waymo’s vehicles have shown an 84% reduction in airbag deployments compared to human-driven cars. 𝗠𝘆 𝘁𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘀: We’ve all heard it: “People don’t trust autonomous driving.” But what if I told you the problem isn’t the technology—it’s the lack of education? I recently posted about a study Waymo conducted, 66% of respondents said learning about Waymo’s safety record eased their concerns about riding in an autonomous vehicle. Even more telling, 62% of those who were initially moderately or less interested in AVs said their interest in using an autonomous ride-hailing service increased after learning these facts. 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗻𝘀𝗹𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗽𝗲𝗼𝗽𝗹𝗲 𝗸𝗻𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝗮𝗰𝘁𝘀, 𝘁𝗵𝗲𝘆 𝘀𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗳𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗳𝘂𝘁𝘂𝗿𝗲. So, what’s Waymo doing about it? They just launched a Safety Data Hub—a platform that provides the public with access to all this compelling safety data. By showcasing real-world metrics like fewer crashes, fewer injuries, and fewer airbag deployments, Waymo is addressing the education gap head-on. This is exactly the kind of transparency we need to move the industry forward. Data isn’t just a tool—it’s a weapon against misinformation and fear. But let’s be clear: while this all looks great for Waymo, the company knows that independent groups need to verify and replicate these results for true mainstream acceptance. It’s one thing for a company to promote its own data, but third-party validation is critical to building long-term public trust. What about you? Would this kind of safety data make you more likely to use a #robotaxi? Does knowing the facts change your perception of #autonomousvehicles and make you more willing to give them a try?

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As a tech enthusiast, I have been looking for an excuse to post about my Waymo “robotaxi” driving experience with my family in San Francisco and here it is. According to Alphabet Inc., “…the Waymo driver is already making roads safer in the places where we operate. Specifically, the data…demonstrates that the Waymo driver is better than humans at avoiding crashes that result in injuries, airbag deployments, and police reports”. https://lnkd.in/eWGHyg9f Selected stats from Alphabet which are voluntarily shared for transparency: 22 million miles driven across 4 cities in the U.S. 84% fewer airbag deployment crashes 73% fewer injury-causing crashes Waymo incidents reported per million miles (IPMM) is consistently lower compared to human drivers In general, I observe that the accident reporting figures are a little complicated to interpret and arouse a bit of cynicism on my part. Significantly, Alphabet/Waymo stops short of concluding specifically (yet) that Waymo drivers are safer than human drivers. Our “human” takeaways: We felt safe. The experience was comfortable (even though all three of us squeezed into the back seat) and we were impressed with the way the Waymo maneuvered around parked cars, turning cars, and thankfully, pedestrians and dogs. For one trip, it was a bit slow. We noticed that other drivers (especially Uber drivers) took advantage of Waymo’s polite, risk-averse driving style. This meant that it did take a bit longer to get to our destination (Oracle Park to see the Giants) on one occasion. If you’re in a hurry, a human taxi might still get you there faster. Some of my friends in Europe and Australia were surprised that driverless taxis were a reality on roads in some U.S. cities. A few of them reacted asking why I had taken the risk of putting my kids into one of these contraptions! So clearly the world has some way to go before accepting robotaxis. I wonder when such autonomous vehicles will make their way to UK/Europe. I understand there are start-ups operating in the space but the UK lacks a developed licensing scheme for autonomous vehicles (unlike San Francisco). David Croushore Barney O'Kelly

Weekend Musings #3 (Posted by Aishwarya Srinivasan) Recently, I had the privilege of being invited to a closed group event at Waymo HQ, where I got a firsthand look at the incredible advancements in autonomous driving technology. It was truly fascinating to witness the progress being made in the world of self-driving cars, particularly in the Waymo Driver system. Undoubtedly driverless technology is fascinating and leaps into the future, but there of course are risks and considerations we need to talk about. It is only by acknowledging that we can resolve these issues. 🔧 Advancements in Autonomous Driving: We've witnessed significant improvements in sensor technology, AI algorithms, and real-time data processing. These advancements are bringing us closer to a future where self-driving cars can navigate complex urban environments with precision and efficiency, potentially reducing accidents and traffic congestion. 💡 Improved safety: Autonomous vehicles have the potential to greatly reduce human error, which is a leading cause of accidents on the road. Their ability to communicate with each other and infrastructure can enhance overall road safety. 🌐 Environmental benefits: By optimizing routes and driving behaviors, autonomous vehicles can contribute to reduced fuel consumption and lower emissions, thereby benefiting the environment. 🚦 Risks and Considerations: While these technological advancements are exciting, it's essential to recognize the challenges and risks that come with autonomous driving. 🛑 Safety concerns: Ensuring the safety of autonomous vehicles in all situations, including extreme weather conditions and unforeseen obstacles, remains a top priority. Reliability and robustness in various scenarios are key challenges. 🔄 Ethical dilemmas: As self-driving cars encounter complex situations on the road, we must address ethical questions about decision-making in emergency scenarios. How should AI prioritize safety, and what ethical principles should guide these decisions? ⚖ Legal accountability: The driverless cars aren't 100% safe, and it is impractical to expect it ever would be. Even a fractional margin of error brings us the question of accountability. If an accident occurs, who will be responsible for it? Who will cover the insurance costs? 💻 Cybersecurity: With the increasing connectivity of autonomous vehicles, there's a growing need to protect them from cyberattacks. Ensuring the security of the software and communication systems is crucial. 🕵️♀️ Privacy concerns: The data collected by autonomous vehicles, including location and driving habits, raises important privacy considerations. How can we strike the right balance between data collection for safety and protecting individuals' privacy? I'd love to hear your thoughts on the advancements in autonomous driving and the challenges it brings. Put your thoughts in the comments below!