In the race for self-driving technology, Waymo and Tesla are employing contrasting strategies. Waymo, Google’s self-driving project, is taking a cautious and methodical approach, akin to playing chess. On the other hand, Tesla, under the leadership of Elon Musk, is making bold moves and promises, much like a game of checkers.
Tesla’s Full Self Driving (FSD) software has been a topic of excitement for both fans and CEO Elon Musk. The company released a major upgrade of the software and announced plans for a purpose-built robotaxi. However, despite these advancements, Tesla’s FSD still lags behind Waymo’s technology.
Waymo’s impressive performance comes with a caveat. While its driverless vehicles operate flawlessly, they do so with the help of remote operators and avoid certain road types like freeways. Many Tesla fans see these limitations as signs that Waymo is headed for a technological dead end. They believe Tesla’s FSD, with its capacity to operate in all cities and on all road types, is a more general technology that will soon surpass Waymo.
However, this view overlooks the complexity of safely operating driverless vehicles on public roads. A single mistake can be deadly, especially at freeway speeds. Waymo launched its driverless service in a controlled environment and has been gradually increasing the difficulty level as it gains confidence in its technology.
In contrast, Tesla hasn’t started driverless testing because its software isn’t ready. When Tesla begins its driverless transition, it will likely realize that safety requires a Waymo-style incremental rollout. So, while Tesla is making bold moves, Waymo is quietly making strategic moves, carefully planning each step in the complex game of self-driving technology.
Read more: arstechnica.com