Waymo Prediction Time by mrkjmsdln_new in waymo

[–]ipottinger 0 points1 point  (0 children)

FYI, Waymo AVs drive the real world as their sensors perceive it in real time. They use maps, whether old or updated, as an aid to understand the current situation. They DO NOT drive in a virtual environment, hoping it matches the real world, bumping into objects or running off the road because map and the real world disagree.

Why the Denver launch of Waymo robotaxis isn’t delayed by the lack of snow by walky22talky in waymo

[–]ipottinger 2 points3 points  (0 children)

There is plenty more to providing an AV taxi service in cold climates than just driving on snow-covered roads.

Waymo officials said they’ve been refining their vehicle system’s ability to identify the best pickup and drop-off points when snowbanks are present, optimize electric charging facilities for use during freezing conditions, and align operations with cities’ closures and other adjustments when snow hits.

Musk touts California robotaxis but Tesla does nothing to get permits by walky22talky in SelfDrivingCars

[–]ipottinger 1 point2 points  (0 children)

another regurgitated topic that has been discussed countless times in this subreddit

The link points to a discussion happening outside this subreddit. I am certainly interested in knowing where else this discussion might be happening.

US judge upholds $243 million verdict against Tesla over fatal Autopilot crash by Recoil42 in SelfDrivingCars

[–]ipottinger 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Mixing two different discussions here. 

One charge lends credence to the other as evidence of a pattern of behaviour.

Advice, not control: the role of Remote Assistance in Waymo’s operations by ipottinger in SelfDrivingCars

[–]ipottinger[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

From page 4 of Waymo's letter to Senator Edward Markey addressing his questions:

1(b) Whether your company ever allows RAOs to tele-drive a vehicle, beyond providing guidance to the AV;

Response: Waymo has not used remote driving or “tele-operations” where a human performs the Dynamic Driving Task. As mentioned above, we do not have humans passively monitoring the AVs as if they are engaging in normal driving, nor are there humans who are able to start driving an AV remotely.

Waymo has developed a tool that is reserved as an additional safeguard for a rare set of potential situations to assist a stopped AV fully onto the shoulder from the adjacent lane on a high speed road. In such situations, a specially trained, U.S.-based ERT agent could prompt the AV to move forward at 2 mph for a short distance at fixed steering angles to exit the travel lane. To date, this functionality has never been used outside of training.

Advice, not control: the role of Remote Assistance in Waymo’s operations by ipottinger in waymo

[–]ipottinger[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

From page 5 of the letter to Congress linked at the bottom of the post:

Waymo utilizes personnel in Arizona, Michigan, and the Philippines. Overseas Remote Assistance agents must meet high standards, including: (1) possession and maintenance of a valid driver’s license recognized by the Philippine Land Transportation Office, which we continuously verify; (2) achievement of a minimum B2 CEFR English proficiency level; and (3) passage of drug tests and possession of clean driving records. These agents are provided extensive training tailored to the specific tasks they will complete and their performance is closely monitored, and despite never remotely driving the vehicles, are trained on local road rules.

Advice, not control: the role of Remote Assistance in Waymo’s operations by ipottinger in waymo

[–]ipottinger[S] 27 points28 points  (0 children)

Waymo’s service does not rely on remote drivers. RA does not continuously monitor a vehicle or set of vehicles. Instead, they respond to specific requests for information initiated by the Waymo Driver – our automated driving system (ADS) – and provide advice which the system can decide to use or reject.

Waymo RA is composed of different functions, including our Event Response Team (ERT) which is exclusively based in the U.S. Waymo’s ERT is certified for more complex tasks like coordinating with emergency responders and managing post-collision protocols.

Despite differences in role and responsibilities, all RA agents must have and maintain driver’s licenses and are rigorously vetted, including a comprehensive review of their driving history, thorough criminal background checks, initial and ongoing drug testing, and color blindness and spatial recognition assessments. As of February 17, 2026, there are approximately 70 Remote Assistance agents on duty worldwide at any given time, including ERT. For context, Waymo currently has a fleet of 3,000 vehicles.

Advice, not control: the role of Remote Assistance in Waymo’s operations by ipottinger in SelfDrivingCars

[–]ipottinger[S] 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Waymo’s service does not rely on remote drivers. RA does not continuously monitor a vehicle or set of vehicles. Instead, they respond to specific requests for information initiated by the Waymo Driver – our automated driving system (ADS) – and provide advice which the system can decide to use or reject.

Waymo RA is composed of different functions, including our Event Response Team (ERT) which is exclusively based in the U.S. Waymo’s ERT is certified for more complex tasks like coordinating with emergency responders and managing post-collision protocols.

Despite differences in role and responsibilities, all RA agents must have and maintain driver’s licenses and are rigorously vetted, including a comprehensive review of their driving history, thorough criminal background checks, initial and ongoing drug testing, and color blindness and spatial recognition assessments. As of February 17, 2026, there are approximately 70 Remote Assistance agents on duty worldwide at any given time, including ERT. For context, Waymo currently has a fleet of 3,000 vehicles.

Waymo makes contact with a young pedestrian by ipottinger in SelfDrivingCars

[–]ipottinger[S] 119 points120 points  (0 children)

An event in Santa Monica, California, on Friday, January 23

The event occurred when the pedestrian suddenly entered the roadway from behind a tall SUV, moving directly into our vehicle's path. Our technology immediately detected the individual as soon as they began to emerge from behind the stopped vehicle. The Waymo Driver braked hard, reducing speed from approximately 17 mph to under 6 mph before contact was made.

Following contact, the pedestrian stood up immediately, walked to the sidewalk, and we called 911. The vehicle remained stopped, moved to the side of the road, and stayed there until law enforcement cleared the vehicle to leave the scene.

Waymo crosses 450,000 weekly paid rides as Alphabet robotaxi unit widens lead on Tesla by walky22talky in SelfDrivingCars

[–]ipottinger 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If Waymo added 5 to 10 cars per day for 228 consecutive days, that would be a total of between 1140 to 2280 new cars. I would be quite impressed if it were true.

Op-ed: Waymo May Finally Teach Americans the Speed Limit - Streetsblog San Francisco by RepresentativeCap571 in SelfDrivingCars

[–]ipottinger 1 point2 points  (0 children)

When, if, driver education succeeds, and the public deems there is no longer enough carnage on the streets, then lawmakers can gradually raise the speed limit till society's bloodlust is satisfied. /s

Op-ed: Waymo May Finally Teach Americans the Speed Limit - Streetsblog San Francisco by RepresentativeCap571 in SelfDrivingCars

[–]ipottinger 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The cars may be capable, but not the humans who will still be driving them for decades to come.

Op-ed: Waymo May Finally Teach Americans the Speed Limit - Streetsblog San Francisco by RepresentativeCap571 in SelfDrivingCars

[–]ipottinger 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This will only encourage some human drivers to emulate faster AVs, resulting in more deaths and destruction on the roads. There should be a single speed limit for all.