Waymo is testing more advanced 6th generation robotaxi from Zeekr

Waymo has consistently been at the forefront of autonomous driving with its fleet of robo taxis. Its latest offering, the Zeekr-built robotaxi, is yet another significant stride in their mission to make driverless taxis a common sight on American roads.

Built on the foundation of a Chinese-made Zeekr electric minivan, this bubble-shaped vehicle comes with Waymo's sixth-generation autonomous driving system that surpasses its predecessors in both capability and cost-efficiency. While the previous generation, seen in the Jaguar I-Pace EVs, had its fair share of teething troubles (remember those honking robotaxis?), this new system promises a smoother, more reliable ride.

We recently introduced our 6th-generation Waymo Driver. Today, our Vice President of Engineering, Satish Jeyachandran, shares insights into how this next-gen system will drive Waymo's business forward. https://t.co/NP5q3AID1Y pic.twitter.com/tNeDJdzWPG

— Waymo (@Waymo) August 19, 2024

One of the standout features of this new system is its resilience to challenging weather conditions. Equipped with a suite of self-cleaning sensors, this robotaxi is designed to navigate through freezing temperatures and snowy landscapes, ensuring uninterrupted service even when the weather takes a turn for the worse.

The "Waymo Driver" suite is the heart of this autonomous vehicle. It comprises 13 cameras, 6 radars, 4 LiDAR sensors, and an array of audio receivers. This comprehensive sensor network provides overlapping, 360-degree vision, allowing the vehicle to detect objects up to an impressive 19,685 inches away. In essence, it gives the car a level of perception that surpasses human capabilities.

Waymo emphasizes the redundancy and safety benefits of combining three image sources — video cameras, LiDAR, and radar. This multi-layered approach means that even if one system encounters difficulties, others can step in to maintain safe operation. The system is highly adaptable as well, thanks to the ability to swap out sensing components to suit specific road conditions, whether it's extreme heat or heavy snowfall. The sensor suite has already clocked thousands of miles on real roads and millions more in simulations.

The Zeekr minivan itself is undergoing public testing, and Waymo claims that it's on track to operate without a human safety driver in half the time it took with the previous system. Inside, the Zeekr robotaxi is designed for passenger comfort and convenience. With a removable steering wheel, seating for five, and four sliding doors, it offers easy access and a spacious interior.

The vehicle's Chinese origins have initially raised concerns about profitability due to import tariffs and software-related safety. Waymo addresses these concerns by clarifying that the vehicles leave the Chinese factory without any Zeekr software or sensors, and the hardware and software installation happens in the United States.

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