Much of the autonomous vehicle (AV) space is uncharted territory. However, at Waymo, with more than 200 million miles driven fully autonomously, we’re one of very few companies that can look to our past to illuminate our future. Our experience has led us to ten fundamental truths that shape how we build AI.
These truths are validated by our safety data, which shows the Waymo Driver is already making roads safer in the cities where we serve. More than safety being the output, safety is the reason for each insight.
Let’s dive into what we’ve learned, starting with the two most heavily debated topics in AV history.
1. Multimodal sensors are indispensable
Cameras are incredible, but they aren't enough. For years, there’s been a debate over whether cameras alone could solve full autonomy. Now, after more than 200 million real-world miles, the data is clear: safe, fully autonomous operations at scale require more. By combining inputs from cameras, lidar, and radar, the Waymo Driver creates a rich, redundant world view that no single sensor can replicate. (....)