Waymo, the Alphabet-owned autonomous vehicle company, has announced that it will be scaling back its efforts in the development of autonomous big rigs and shifting its focus towards its Waymo One ride-hailing service. Co-CEOs Dmitri Dolgov and Tekedra Mawakana explained that this move is aimed at ensuring the success of their self-driving taxi business.
The decision to prioritize Waymo One was motivated in part by the significant growth in demand for their robotaxis in cities such as Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco. Waymo also highlighted the rapid upgrades to its AI system, Driver, which has been crucial in handling its autonomous cars. The co-chiefs expressed their enthusiasm for the momentum Waymo One is currently experiencing and the potential for further growth that this strategic shift will facilitate.
It is important to note, however, that Waymo will still collaborate with Daimler in the development of self-driving semi trucks. While much of the technical development will now focus on Waymo One, advancements made on Driver, particularly in relation to highway driving, will indirectly benefit the trucking industry. While there is no updated timeline for the release of autonomous trucks, TechCrunch reported that only a small number of employees will be affected by the transition, as most have already found alternative positions within Waymo.
Waymo commenced its testing of autonomous big rig trucks back in 2017, and subsequent expansions in 2019 and 2020 led to the launch of Via, its cargo transportation division. The company gained the attention and support of major partners like UPS and former competitor Uber Freight. However, despite these accomplishments, it was Waymo One that emerged as the clear star of the show and generated the most interest. In fact, Uber plans to offer Waymo rides and deliveries in Phoenix later this year.
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While Waymo’s decision to prioritize Waymo One seems promising, success is not guaranteed. The company is still facing opposition from officials in various cities concerned about safety issues. Driverless cars have caused traffic disruptions, interfered with emergency response vehicles, and created other operational challenges. As a result, there is a growing call for regulatory limitations on where and when autonomous vehicles can operate.
In conclusion, Waymo’s decision to place driverless trucking efforts on hold and focus on Waymo One aims to capitalize on the growing demand for autonomous ride-hailing services. The company believes that this strategic shift will lead to the commercial success of its self-driving taxis. While there is ongoing opposition from officials concerned about safety issues, Waymo remains optimistic about the future of autonomous transportation and will continue collaborating with partners like Daimler to advance the development of self-driving trucks.
