Categories: News

Google's Self-Driving Car Company Has Been Quietly Building Its Own Hardware

[ad_1]

Google's self-driving car company, Waymo, has been quietly manufacturing its own sensors, radars, and vision system for its vehicles – hardware that will hit the streets on Waymo's 100 new Pacifica minivans later this month, its chief executive John Krafcik announced Sunday.

Krafcik said building the hardware in-house, in addition to its self-driving software, has brought down costs and increased reliability.

The company's own laser systems, for example, cost 90% less than the comparable $75,000 product LiDar from a supplier.

“We’re mastering the hardware and software to build a better driver for a truly self-driving car,” Kracfik said.

The Pacificas will launch in Arizona and California this month.

Krafcik also said the company has seen an improvement in the performance of its self-driving vehicles, which have traveled nearly 2.5 million miles.

He said that in 2015 Waymo test drivers turned off self-driving and took over control manually at a rate of 0.8 times per thousand miles. In 2016, that rate shrank to 0.2 disengagements per thousand miles.

Krafcik's announcement at Detroit's annual auto show on Sunday comes one month after Google parent Alphabet spun out its self-driving car program into a new company called Waymo.

Last month, the company also announced that it had completed a fully autonomous drive in Austin, Texas, in 2015 – a drive with a blind passenger in the back of a vehicle.

Meanwhile, Uber's self-driving car program, which launched in Pittsburgh in September, has hit some road blocks.

The ride-hail giant was forced by California regulators to shut down its self-driving pilot program in San Francisco just days after it launched.

LINK: Google Parent Alphabet Spins Out Self-Driving Car Company As Waymo

[ad_2]

techfeatured

Recent Posts

Unlock Detailed Vehicle Information with VINDECODERZ

VINDECODERZ offers comprehensive and reliable VIN decoding services to provide users with detailed vehicle information…

16 hours ago

Trending Innovations in Auto Repair: How Modern Technology Shapes Service Quality

Table of Contents: Key Takeaways Understanding the Impact of Diagnostic Software Electric and Hybrid Vehicles:…

1 week ago

Exploring the Impact of Trigger Kits on Firearm Performance and Safety

Key Takeaways: Custom trigger kits can offer personalization while potentially improving shooting accuracy and performance.…

2 weeks ago

Extending Vehicle Longevity: The Impact of Ceramic Coatings on Car Maintenance

Ensuring a vehicle's longevity requires more than just regular servicing; it encompasses a broader approach…

3 weeks ago

Better Care with Tech: How Skilled Use of Medical Tools Saves Lives

Technological developments in medicine have raised the bar for patient care to an unprecedented degree,…

1 month ago

Choosing the Right Platform: Options for Website Creation

In the digital era, having a website is essential for businesses, organizations, and individuals alike.…

1 month ago