a16z Podcast

Building the World's Most Trusted Driver

13 snips
Aug 5, 2024
Dmitri Dolgov, Co-CEO of Waymo and a leader in self-driving tech, shares his insights on autonomous vehicles, which have navigated over 20 million miles! He discusses the evolution of generative AI and how it enhances safety and performance. Dolgov also dives into the significance of various sensors like LiDAR and radar, revealing the complexity of creating reliable systems. Additionally, he tackles the challenges of achieving full autonomy and emphasizes the importance of realistic simulations for safety in urban environments.
Ask episode
AI Snips
Chapters
Transcript
Episode notes
ANECDOTE

DARPA Urban Challenge

  • Dmitri Dolgov's journey into autonomous vehicles began with the 2007 DARPA Urban Challenge at Stanford.
  • This "light switch moment" sparked his passion for the field.
INSIGHT

Early Self-Driving Tech

  • In 2007, self-driving cars used similar hardware and software components to those used today: sensors, computers, and AI.
  • However, the technology has drastically improved over the past 18 years.
INSIGHT

Generative AI Impact

  • Generative AI, including transformers and large language models, significantly impacts autonomous driving.
  • These models improve behavioral prediction, decision-making, and simulation.
Get the Snipd Podcast app to discover more snips from this episode
Get the app