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Waymo

When Google spun off its self-driving car project in 2016 as a separate company called Waymo, the auto world took notice. Since then, Waymo has led the pack of autonomous vehicle developers, setting the stage for what could be a massive transformation in personal mobility. The company was among the first to deploy fully driverless cars, and it has its sights set on ride-hailing and freight hauling as its commercial pursuits. Waymo’s position at the top of the technological hierarchy will tell us whether self-driving cars are truly transformative or just a passing fad.

Despite mounting opposition, the Bay Area’s robotaxis keep racking up the milesDespite mounting opposition, the Bay Area’s robotaxis keep racking up the miles
Waymo’s driverless robotaxis are now doing airport trips in PhoenixWaymo’s driverless robotaxis are now doing airport trips in Phoenix
Waymo’s new robotaxi is an all-electric people mover with no steering wheelWaymo’s new robotaxi is an all-electric people mover with no steering wheel
Waymo can now provide fully driverless rides in San FranciscoWaymo can now provide fully driverless rides in San Francisco
Waymo’s robotaxis are basically mobile weather stations nowWaymo’s robotaxis are basically mobile weather stations now
Waymo’s driverless taxis keep making incremental progress, while others flounderWaymo’s driverless taxis keep making incremental progress, while others flounder
Waymo’s robotaxis are now making passenger trips to the Phoenix airportWaymo’s robotaxis are now making passenger trips to the Phoenix airport
Waymo eyes traffic-choked Los Angeles for its next robotaxi serviceWaymo eyes traffic-choked Los Angeles for its next robotaxi service
Waymo pitted its autonomous vehicles against a virtual superhuman driver to see which was saferWaymo pitted its autonomous vehicles against a virtual superhuman driver to see which was safer
Waymo’s driverless vehicles are picking up passengers in downtown PhoenixWaymo’s driverless vehicles are picking up passengers in downtown Phoenix
Waymo designed new features to improve AV access for passengers with disabilitiesWaymo designed new features to improve AV access for passengers with disabilities
Waymo autonomous vehicle attacked by an ‘erratic’ pedestrian in ArizonaWaymo autonomous vehicle attacked by an ‘erratic’ pedestrian in Arizona
Waymo, Aurora, Uber, and others urge California to lift its ban on heavy-duty self-driving trucksWaymo, Aurora, Uber, and others urge California to lift its ban on heavy-duty self-driving trucks
Waymo’s self-driving trucks will deliver home goods for WayfairWaymo’s self-driving trucks will deliver home goods for Wayfair
Self-driving cars crash, too, but figuring out what it means requires much better dataSelf-driving cars crash, too, but figuring out what it means requires much better data
US releases new driver-assist crash data, and surprise, it’s mostly TeslaUS releases new driver-assist crash data, and surprise, it’s mostly Tesla
Waymo is teaming up with Uber on autonomous trucking because time really heals all woundsWaymo is teaming up with Uber on autonomous trucking because time really heals all wounds
Waymo says fully driverless rides are coming to San FranciscoWaymo says fully driverless rides are coming to San Francisco
Waymo to start charging money for its robotaxi rides in San FranciscoWaymo to start charging money for its robotaxi rides in San Francisco
Waymo wins bid to keep some of its robotaxi safety details secretWaymo wins bid to keep some of its robotaxi safety details secret
Waymo will test its autonomous trucks in Texas with brokerage firm CH RobinsonWaymo will test its autonomous trucks in Texas with brokerage firm CH Robinson
Fewer robot cars are driving more miles in CaliforniaFewer robot cars are driving more miles in California
Waymo sues California DMV to keep driverless crash data under wrapsWaymo sues California DMV to keep driverless crash data under wraps
Waymo plans fleet of self-driving, all-electric robotaxis with Chinese automaker GeelyWaymo plans fleet of self-driving, all-electric robotaxis with Chinese automaker Geely
Waymo says test vehicle was in manual mode when it struck a pedestrian in San FranciscoWaymo says test vehicle was in manual mode when it struck a pedestrian in San Francisco
UPS will make deliveries using Waymo’s autonomous Class 8 trucksUPS will make deliveries using Waymo’s autonomous Class 8 trucks
Waymo is bringing its autonomous vehicles to New York City for (manually driven) mappingWaymo is bringing its autonomous vehicles to New York City for (manually driven) mapping
Waymo’s autonomous vehicles keep getting stuck in a dead-end street in San FranciscoWaymo’s autonomous vehicles keep getting stuck in a dead-end street in San Francisco
Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana on how to get self-driving taxis to the mall
Cruise gets the green light to give driverless rides to passengers in San FranciscoCruise gets the green light to give driverless rides to passengers in San Francisco
Waymo will no longer sell its ‘Laser Bear Honeycomb’ lidar sensors to other companiesWaymo will no longer sell its ‘Laser Bear Honeycomb’ lidar sensors to other companies
Waymo starts offering autonomous rides in San FranciscoWaymo starts offering autonomous rides in San Francisco
Waymo is building a hub for its autonomous trucks in TexasWaymo is building a hub for its autonomous trucks in Texas
Welcome to Simulation City, the virtual world where Waymo tests its autonomous vehicles

The Alphabet company is doubling up on simulation as it gets closer to commercialization

Andrew J. Hawkins
Waymo raises $2.5 billion in second external funding roundWaymo raises $2.5 billion in second external funding round
Waymo teams up with trucker JB Hunt on autonomous freight hauling in TexasWaymo teams up with trucker JB Hunt on autonomous freight hauling in Texas
A driverless Waymo got stuck in traffic and then tried to run away from its support crewA driverless Waymo got stuck in traffic and then tried to run away from its support crew
The autonomous vehicle world is shrinking — it’s overdue

‘The AV industry has promised too much for too long, and has delivered too little’

Andrew J. Hawkins
Google banks big in Alphabet’s post-pandemic-peak Q1 2021 earningsGoogle banks big in Alphabet’s post-pandemic-peak Q1 2021 earnings
Waymo is disclosing more autonomous vehicle data for research purposesWaymo is disclosing more autonomous vehicle data for research purposes

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