Waymo, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., has taken a major step forward in the advancement of autonomous technology and its integration into everyday transportation. The company has recently announced that their self-driving vehicles will now operate on highways in Arizona without safety drivers onboard. This decision marks a significant milestone in the evolution of autonomous vehicles and signals growing confidence in their capabilities.
Bringing Autonomous Travel to Highways
Singularity Hub reports that Waymo is not only expanding its services in Phoenix, Arizona, but is also including highway travel in its autonomous vehicle operations. The inclusion of highways is an essential step for autonomous vehicles to be widely adopted, but it also adds higher stakes and pressure on companies like Waymo to rapidly expand and convince the public of the technology’s safety.
Transitioning from Surface Streets to Freeways
In a recent blog post, Waymo confirms the extension of its rider-only testing from surface streets to freeways in Arizona. This move allows Waymo to gather more data and insights in different driving conditions, further enhancing the performance and safety of their autonomous vehicles. California residents also have the option to opt-out of disclosing personal information to third parties for advertising purposes.
Rider-Only Testing and Commercial Operations
Planetizen reveals Waymo’s plans to deploy rider-only testing for its self-driving vehicles on Phoenix freeways, with the first riders being Waymo employees. The company has already accumulated an impressive 5.34 million miles on the roads of the Phoenix metro area. Additionally, iTechPost reports that Waymo’s driverless cars have obtained approval for expanded commercial operations in Phoenix, Arizona.
Prioritizing Safety and Efficiency
Waymo’s commitment to safety is evident through its impressive safety records. According to 12 News, Waymo’s autonomous vehicles have showcased an 85% reduction in crashes resulting in injury and a 57% reduction in police-reported crashes compared to human drivers. The Arizona government closely monitors the testing and use of self-driving cars to ensure public safety.
Shaping the Future of Transportation
Waymo’s bold move to operate autonomous vehicles on highways without safety drivers marks a significant advancement in this emerging technology. This development has the potential to reshape the future of transportation, paving the way for increased integration of driverless cars on public roads. With ongoing testing and development, we may soon witness a new era in transportation technology.
The source of the article is from the blog xn--campiahoy-p6a.es