No Priors: Artificial Intelligence | Technology | Startups cover image

No Priors: Artificial Intelligence | Technology | Startups

Waymo’s Journey to Full Autonomy: AI Breakthroughs, Safety, and Scaling

Oct 24, 2024
Dmitri Dolgov, Co-CEO of Waymo and a pioneer in self-driving technology, discusses the remarkable journey of autonomous vehicles. He shares insights on technological breakthroughs that led to Waymo’s sixth generation of driverless cars. The conversation touches on scaling challenges in cities like Phoenix and San Francisco and the overall impact of autonomous driving on urban mobility and car ownership. Dmitri also addresses safety evaluations and the regulatory landscape necessary for fostering public trust in self-driving technology.
44:30

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Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • Waymo's journey from inception at Google to its current state showcases significant technological breakthroughs that enable full autonomy in self-driving cars.
  • The company prioritizes safety through rigorous evaluation metrics, demonstrating that its autonomous vehicles outperform human drivers in various scenarios.

Deep dives

Origins and Evolution of Waymo

Waymo originated from the Chauffeur Project within Google, which began in 2009 and evolved into a dedicated company by 2017. Dmitry Dolgov, co-CEO, recalls the early days marked by DARPA Grand Challenges, where researchers aimed to create autonomous vehicles capable of driving without human intervention. This led to the formation of a small team at Google, driven by the belief in the technology's potential to positively impact society. Over the years, significant milestones were achieved, including the transition from early research to developing a viable product focused on full autonomy.

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