Google’s Waymo: Fully Autonomous Cars in Urban Settings.
Imagine sitting in the backseat of your car, completely hands-free and without a driver. This may seem like a scene from a science fiction movie, but it is becoming a reality with Google’s Waymo. Waymo is a self-driving technology company owned by Google parent company Alphabet, and they have been perfecting their fully autonomous car technology for the past decade. While self-driving cars are still in their early stages, Waymo has made significant strides in making them a feasible option, especially in urban settings. In this article, we will explore how Google’s Waymo is tackling the challenges of implementing fully autonomous cars in urban settings and changing the way we think about transportation. 
What is Google’s Waymo?
Before we dive into the specifics of autonomous cars in urban settings, let’s first understand what Google’s Waymo is. Waymo is a leader in self-driving technology and is focused on developing fully autonomous cars for public use. It was started as a project within Google in 2009 and eventually became a standalone company under Alphabet in 2016. Waymo has been testing their vehicles on public roads since 2015 and has accumulated over 10 billion miles of simulation and 20 billion miles of real-world driving experience.
The Benefits of Fully Autonomous Cars
Self-driving cars have the potential to revolutionize the way we live, work, and travel. With more and more people interested in moving to urban areas, congestion and traffic are worsening. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) reports that 36,560 people were killed in motor vehicle crashes in 2018 alone. With fully autonomous cars, the number of accidents and fatalities could decrease significantly. Additionally, with efficient route planning and navigation, self-driving cars could reduce travel time and ease traffic congestion, making it a convenient option for commuters and reducing the carbon footprint of transportation.
The Challenges of Fully Autonomous Cars in Urban Settings
Navigating Complex Urban Environments
While autonomous cars may seem like a straightforward solution to urban traffic, the reality is much more complex. Urban environments are constantly changing, with pedestrians, cyclists, and other vehicles moving unpredictably. There are also obstacles such as construction zones, road closures, and temporary signs that self-driving cars must navigate. Waymo’s solution to this is their advanced sensors and perception systems that enable their cars to process and respond to their surroundings in real-time.
Adhering to Traffic Laws and Regulations
Another challenge of implementing fully autonomous cars in urban areas is ensuring that they can abide by all traffic laws and regulations. This includes following traffic signals and signs, staying with the speed limit, and appropriately yielding to pedestrians and other vehicles. Waymo’s cars have been programmed to follow these laws and have sensors that can detect and respond to their surroundings accordingly.
Interacting with Human Drivers
As self-driving cars are slowly introduced into the transportation system, they will have to interact with human drivers who are still utilizing traditional cars. This may be a challenge as human drivers may not always act rationally or predictably. Waymo has been addressing this issue by conducting tests with a mix of self-driving and traditional cars on the road, allowing their vehicles to adapt to the behavior of human drivers and learn from their actions.
The Future of Google’s Waymo in Urban Settings
Despite its challenges, Waymo has been making significant progress in implementing fully autonomous cars in urban settings. In 2020, Waymo began offering rides to the public in Chandler, Arizona, with plans to expand to other cities in the future. Waymo has also partnered with major car manufacturers such as Fiat Chrysler and Volvo to develop self-driving cars for commercial use. With these developments, it is clear that Waymo is paving the way for the future of transportation.
Conclusion
Google’s Waymo is at the forefront of developing fully autonomous cars for urban settings. Through their advanced technology, rigorous testing, and partnerships with car manufacturers, Waymo is making significant strides in revolutionizing transportation. While there are still challenges to overcome, the potential benefits of self-driving cars in reducing accidents, easing congestion, and providing a more environmentally friendly way to travel make it an exciting feature to look forward to in the future.
