Clean Tech News & Views: EVs, Solar Energy, Batteries
Waymo has been leading the way on robotaxis in the US. However, it hasn’t exactly been using the cutting edge in electric vehicle technology. It has relied on relatively old Chrysler Pacific plugin hybrids and, more recently, Jaguar I-PACE electric SUVs. Until now.
Oh, well, it still relies on those, but it’s starting to incorporate brand new Zeekr electric vans in San Francisco, California. The company hasn’t actually started using them in robotaxi service, and there are “less than a handful” out there , but the custom-designed fully electric robotaxis are the future, and at least their now in testing in California.
“Our fourth generation, which was just on the Pacificas, were vital to helping us prove that we can operate fully autonomously or go rider-only,” Waymo spokesperson Sandy Karp told. “The fifth-generation hardware was critical to help us scale to four cities as of now, as well as navigate dense urban environments. The sixth-generation hardware builds on those capabilities, but it has a much more simplified design.
So, yet again, we see that Waymo is making progress on its initial vision and one could say leading the robotaxi revolution in North America. Others, Tesla fans and executives, contend that Waymo’s approach doesn’t have god long-term viability andis the way to go, but there’s no doubt about it: at the moment, Waymo’s robotaxi deployment beats Tesla’s .
Waymo is yet to provide commercial robotaxi service in a place with true wintry weather. It tested vehicles for a bit in Buffalo, NY, last year, but then stopped doing so. Potentially, though, the new Zeekr vehicles and Waymo’s 6th generation “Driver” will enable that next big step. The company’s 6th-gen sensor suite reportedly includes lidar, radar, cameras, and microphones built in-house.
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
A Zeekr May Be Your Next Waymo Taxi In The U.S.The Swedish-designed electric minivan has a removable steering wheel, which could help Waymo go over any regulatory speed bump.
Read more »
Fox News AI Newsletter: Waymo’s robotaxi launches citywide in San FranciscoStay up to date on the latest AI technology advancements and learn about the challenges and opportunities AI presents now and for the future.
Read more »
California gives Waymo the green light to expand robotaxi operationsWaymo is now allowed to drive on highways in Los Angeles and the Bay Area.
Read more »
Zeekr's sales jump as Chinese dominate Russian EV marketPremium Chinese EV builder Zeekr is outperforming local alternatives in the Russian home market.
Read more »
Chinese EV companies Zeekr and Nio report record deliveries in JuneChinese electric car company Zeekr delivered the most cars in the first half of the year among U.S.-listed Chinese companies only selling pure electric cars.
Read more »
Chinese EV companies Zeekr and Nio report record deliveries in JuneChinese electric car company Zeekr delivered the most cars in the first half of the year among U.S.-listed Chinese companies only selling pure electric cars.
Read more »