On August 19, 2024, Waymo, the autonomous vehicle division of Alphabet, introduced its sixth-generation Driver system, featuring a streamlined sensor array that promises improved efficiency without compromising safety. The new fleet, built on Geely Zeekr electric minivans, represents a significant shift from the previous Jaguar I-PACE SUVs, incorporating design elements aimed at enhancing accessibility.
The sixth-generation system has reduced its camera count from 29 to 13 and its LiDAR sensors from five to four. Despite these reductions, Waymo asserts that the new configuration maintains safety through overlapping fields of view and redundancies designed to handle various weather conditions. According to Waymo, this setup offers a field of view extending up to 500 meters in both daylight and nighttime, and it is adaptable to different weather scenarios.
The Zeekr-based vehicles are designed to offer better accessibility, with features like a lower step, higher ceiling, and increased legroom, while maintaining a similar overall footprint to their Jaguar predecessors. The new platform also boasts a modular aspect, allowing for the adjustment of sensing components based on environmental needs, such as enhanced sensor cleaning in colder climates.
Waymo's sixth-generation Driver system has already accumulated thousands of miles of real-world driving experience and millions more in simulations. The company anticipates that this model will be ready for consumer use in approximately half the time required for previous generations, benefiting from the knowledge gained from earlier models.
Currently, Waymo operates in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin, with a fleet providing around 50,000 paid autonomous rides weekly. The company plans to expand the deployment of its new vehicles based on their performance in real-world conditions, including tests conducted in cities like Detroit, Buffalo, and New York City.
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