The technology behind self-driving cars has been around for quite some time. But its commercialization is still relatively new, from companies offering and operating ride-sharing services to companies selling self-driving cars. One of his most famous taxi companies is Waymo, which despite its success is currently under federal investigation due to traffic safety concerns.
So what do you need to know about this study? Is Waymo still considered safe? What about other self-driving cars? Is now the time to jump on this trend, or is it better to wait until the technology improves before stepping into self-driving cars? Here’s what you need to know.
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Waymo self-driving taxi (Waymo) (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
What is Waymo Taxi?
The self-driving car was developed by Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. (Google’s parent company). These self-driving taxis combine a variety of technologies to navigate urban environments and respond to ever-changing traffic conditions, providing transportation without the need for a human driver. We will discuss this technology in more detail later.
If you haven’t seen a Waymo car in your neighborhood yet, that’s because Waymo is currently only available in the San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix areas. The service will soon be expanded to Austin, Texas.
Waymo self-driving taxi (Waymo) (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
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Why is Waymo under federal investigation due to safety concerns?
One of the concerns people have about self-driving cars is whether they are safe or just as safe as human-controlled vehicles.Well, the answer is not enough yet. Autonomous driving technology, or driver assistance technology, is thought to reduce accidents, but fully autonomous cars are not there yet and may actually lead to more accidents.
For this reason, Waymo is currently Under federal investigation The vehicle was fined by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) for more than 20 accidents, ranging from single-handed collisions to traffic violations and driving the wrong way on the road. There were also two accidents in which a Waymo taxi collided with a bicycle and another vehicle hit a pedestrian.
Waymo self-driving taxi (Waymo) (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
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Impact of this study on the industry as a whole
Currently, NHTSA is investigating whether Waymo’s self-driving system complies with traffic regulations and the overall safety performance of the vehicle. Unfortunately for Waymo, this isn’t exactly great timing as it plans to expand.
But from a consumer perspective, it’s good to know that this research is ongoing. It is also expected to ultimately address broader industry concerns about whether self-driving cars are safe and reliable. in fact, 75% of Americans want Congress to end self-driving cars. This should tell us a lot about possibilities for which we are not yet ready.
self-driving car on the road (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
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First of all, how do self-driving cars work?
If you’re new to self-driving cars, you’ve probably heard about them or read about them in the news, but you’re probably still a little skeptical. You’re not alone. So how do they work?
Self-driving cars operate through a combination of advanced technologies that enable them to perceive their surroundings, make decisions, and navigate safely. Here’s a breakdown of the major components and how they work together.
sensor:
First, self-driving cars are equipped with various sensors to collect information about the environment.
- camera: Capture visual data and enable vehicles to detect objects, traffic lights, signs, and lane markings.
- Lidar (light detection and ranging): It uses laser light to create a detailed 3D map of the car’s surroundings and accurately detect objects and obstacles.
- radar: It uses radio waves to measure the distance and speed of objects, allowing vehicles to detect vehicles and obstacles, especially in bad weather.
- Ultrasonic sensor: Assists in short-range detection, such as parking and avoiding collisions with nearby objects.
self-driving car on the road (Kurt “Cyber Guy” Knutson)
Sensing:
The self-driving car then uses data from the sensors to gain a detailed understanding of its surrounding environment.
- Object detection: Identify and classify objects such as pedestrians, vehicles, bicycles, and road signs.
- Localization: Determine the exact location of the car on the map relative to its surroundings.
- mapping: Compare sensor data to existing high-resolution maps to enhance localization and route planning.
decision making:
Then, as the car becomes aware of its surroundings, it makes real-time decisions about how to move safely.
- Plan your path: Determine the best route to reach your desired destination while avoiding obstacles and adhering to traffic laws.
- Behavior prediction: Predict the behavior of other road users, such as predicting where pedestrians will cross and how other vehicles will move.
- risk assessment: Assess potential risks and uncertainties and adjust driving behavior accordingly to prioritize safety.
Control:
Finally, self-driving cars implement decisions made by the on-board computer.
- Steering, acceleration, braking: Actuators control the movement of the car, adjusting steering angle, speed, and braking force as needed.
- communication: Some self-driving cars can communicate with each other and infrastructure through vehicle-to-everything (V2X) technology, increasing coordination and safety on the road.
- Integration and optimization: All these components work together seamlessly, with advanced algorithms and software continuously optimizing vehicle performance.
- artificial intelligence: Enhance your vehicle’s decision-making process by learning from data and improving over time.
- Machine learning: It enables cars to learn from real-world driving experiences, enhancing their ability to navigate complex scenarios.
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Is it safe to ride in a self-driving car?
If you decide to ride a Waymo or other self-driving vehicle, it’s important to understand that breakdowns and unforeseen circumstances can occur. Self-driving cars use their technology to respond to traffic conditions in real time. It’s not the same as having an experienced, defensive driver behind the wheel. Despite the fact that these vehicles are designed to reduce human error (one of the main causes of road accidents), they are still far from perfect and not without risks.
What about Tesla? OK?
Self-driving cars aside, what about Tesla, which can still intervene? Tesla offers Autopilot and Full Self-Driving capabilities in its vehicles, offering varying levels of self-driving capabilities. Although these systems can handle many driving tasks, certain situations require driver monitoring and intervention. This may be the right balance that this technology can currently handle. But Tesla’s technology has also been implicated in several high-profile accidents, so anyone planning to drive or ride in a Tesla should have the same concerns as Waymo.
Read more: Why self-driving cars can totally break the rules in this California city
Cart important points
Self-driving cars and taxis are all the rage right now, and it’s natural to be worried. It’s safe to say that until these vehicles are truly immune to human error and aren’t subject to a series of accidents and incidents, we should stick with human-driven vehicles. However, when cars first appeared, there were accidents. New technology requires a learning curve, but the question is whether you want to be there when it’s happening.
What do you think about self-driving cars? Want to take your next ride? Let us know by emailing us. Cyberguy.com/Contact.
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