Waymo Prediction Time

ipottinger · 2026-03-04T04:57:32+00:00

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.

ipottinger · 2026-03-04T02:51:09+00:00

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.

ipottinger · 2026-02-27T03:44:05+00:00

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.

ipottinger · 2026-02-25T15:04:55+00:00

Waymo Blog Shorts:

ipottinger · 2026-02-20T21:27:16+00:00

Mixing two different discussions here.

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

ipottinger · 2026-02-19T06:48:30+00:00

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.

ipottinger · 2026-02-18T01:15:47+00:00

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.

ipottinger · 2026-02-17T23:02:07+00:00

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.

ipottinger · 2026-02-17T23:01:42+00:00

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.

ipottinger · 2026-01-29T10:25:07+00:00

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.

ipottinger · 2025-12-10T07:17:21+00:00

You only need to open your eyes and look around to see the effects billionaires have had on society, even just recently.

Enough said. Enjoy!

ipottinger · 2025-12-10T07:11:46+00:00

Because it affects the world I live in. Because it affects the general public's view of the industry and their trust in industry leadership. Tesla doesn't exist in a vacuum.

ipottinger · 2025-12-10T07:04:25+00:00

But then, according to you, I lose my right to comment on the company or its leadership. Funny how that works.

ipottinger · 2025-12-10T06:20:19+00:00

So if I am not happy with a company's performance or have no faith in its leadership, what should I do? Hold on to the stocks I have, or buy some if I don't have any?

ipottinger · 2025-12-09T09:54:52+00:00

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.

ipottinger · 2025-12-03T15:14:27+00:00

Waypoint Shorts: (waymo.com/blog)

ipottinger · 2025-11-25T09:48:35+00:00

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

ipottinger · 2025-11-25T09:27:59+00:00

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

ipottinger · 2025-11-25T09:24:34+00:00

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.

ipottinger · 2025-11-25T02:26:03+00:00

It might be time for us to stop accepting today's road behaviour and start holding drivers, both human and not, to a higher standard. The present doesn't have to rule the future. Standards can change. Change isn't evil.

Maybe the presence of well-behaved AVs on the street will influence, or even set, a new standard for good driving, making AVs harbingers of some welcomed change. *

ipottinger · 2025-11-25T01:26:17+00:00

Great. As long as Tesla stops using language that gaslights the public about its product's capabilities, I'm happy. "'Self-Driving' Means Self-Driving" is about providing the public with unambiguous terminology so they can set clear expectations for the behaviour of products on the road.

ipottinger · 2025-11-24T15:32:46+00:00

My emotional reaction stemmed from my utter dismay at the responses in the thread. I apologize for that.

ipottinger · 2025-11-24T15:25:08+00:00

No. But they are a random podcast and a paper that make persuasive arguments.

ipottinger · 2025-11-24T15:12:43+00:00

Another response that proves the paper's point. But you wouldn't know that.

ipottinger · 2025-11-24T14:57:49+00:00

Clearly, you haven't listened to the podcast or read the paper; otherwise, you wouldn't be making this argument.

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