Waymo Eyes Future Ownership of Robotaxis for Individuals

Published 2 hours agoGOOGL

Waymo Eyes Future Ownership of Robotaxis for Individuals

Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai has shed light on the potential for personal ownership of Waymo's self-driving robotaxis, though no specific timeline was provided for this initiative. This development marks a significant step for Waymo, which, until now, has focused on its fleet operation model. Pichai's comments suggest that Alphabet is exploring new business models for its autonomous vehicle subsidiary.

Currently, Waymo operates a substantial fleet of over 700 fully autonomous, fare-collecting robotaxis, with 300 of these vehicles deployed in San Francisco. As reported by Reuters, Waymo distinguishes itself in the autonomous vehicle industry by employing a combination of cameras and lidar sensors to ensure safety, setting it apart from competitors like Tesla, which relies exclusively on cameras and AI technology.

In its expansion efforts, Waymo has formed partnerships with major companies such as Uber, Hyundai, Zeekr, Jaguar, and fleet operator Moove. These collaborations have facilitated over 250,000 autonomous rides weekly across cities like Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Austin. While the concept of personal ownership of Waymo's robotaxis remains speculative, any potential implementation would likely involve strategic partnerships rather than Google manufacturing the vehicles itself. Reuters highlights that this strategy underscores Waymo's drive to remain competitive in the burgeoning autonomous vehicle market.

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