Waymo's autonomous ride-hailing service is now available on the Uber app in Austin, Texas. This expansion offers Uber users the option to hail a fully autonomous ride, powered by Waymo's fifth-generation Waymo Driver, in select central areas of the city. Initially, rides will be provided in a "rider-only" configuration with no human driver present, but future plans include testing rides with a trained vehicle operator. This partnership builds on previous collaborations between Waymo and Uber in Phoenix and San Francisco.
Waymo, Alphabet's self-driving unit, plans to expand its autonomous vehicle testing to over ten new US cities. Focusing on trucking and delivery services, Waymo will leverage its existing experience in Phoenix and San Francisco to gather data and refine its technology in diverse environments. This expansion aims to bolster the development and eventual commercial deployment of their autonomous driving systems for both passenger and freight transport.
HN commenters are generally skeptical of Waymo's expansion plans. Several point out that Waymo's current operational areas are geographically limited and relatively simple to navigate compared to more complex urban environments. Some question the viability of truly driverless technology in the near future, citing the ongoing need for human intervention and the difficulty of handling unpredictable situations. Others express concern about the safety implications of widespread autonomous vehicle deployment, particularly in densely populated areas. There's also discussion of the regulatory hurdles and public acceptance challenges that Waymo and other autonomous vehicle companies face. Finally, some commenters suggest Waymo's announcement is primarily a PR move designed to attract investment and maintain public interest.
Summary of Comments ( 49 )
https://news.ycombinator.com/item?id=43255895
HN commenters are generally positive about the Waymo-Uber partnership, viewing it as a pragmatic and beneficial move for both companies. Some express surprise, given the prior contentious lawsuit between them, but see this as a sign of maturity and a focus on customer benefit. Several commenters highlight the potential for increased competition and innovation in the autonomous vehicle space, leading to better service and wider availability for consumers. A few raise concerns about potential monopolies forming and the long-term implications for drivers, but the overall sentiment is one of cautious optimism about the collaboration. Several commenters also speculate about the technical and logistical challenges of integrating the two systems, and question the specifics of the revenue sharing model.
The Hacker News post "Ride into the Future with Waymo on Uber in Austin" linking to Uber's announcement of a partnership with Waymo has generated several comments discussing various aspects of the collaboration.
Several commenters express skepticism or cynicism regarding Uber's motives. One suggests that Uber is effectively admitting defeat in the autonomous vehicle race by partnering with a competitor, framing it as a "white flag" moment. Another speculates that Uber might be leveraging Waymo's technology to gather data and improve their own self-driving efforts, essentially using the partnership as a learning opportunity. Building on this theme, a further commenter points out the potential value of observing Waymo's handling of edge cases and safety protocols in real-world scenarios.
The potential impact on drivers is also a topic of discussion. One commenter raises concerns about the long-term job security of Uber drivers, anticipating that autonomous vehicles will eventually displace human drivers entirely. This concern is countered by another commenter who argues that the transition will be gradual, and that human drivers will likely remain a significant part of the ride-hailing ecosystem for the foreseeable future, especially for specialized services or situations not easily handled by autonomous vehicles.
Some comments focus on the technical and logistical challenges of autonomous vehicle deployment. One user questions the scalability and cost-effectiveness of Waymo's approach, highlighting the high cost of their sensor suite and specialized hardware. Another comment emphasizes the complexity of navigating and mapping constantly evolving urban environments, and the need for robust solutions to handle unexpected events and obstacles.
Finally, some comments offer more general observations about the autonomous vehicle industry. One commenter notes the rapid pace of development in the field, suggesting that widespread adoption of self-driving technology might be closer than many people realize. Another comment emphasizes the potential societal benefits of autonomous vehicles, including increased safety and reduced traffic congestion.
Several comments also discuss the specific choice of Austin as the launch city, speculating on the reasons behind this decision, including the city's favorable regulatory environment and its status as a tech hub. Some users also express interest in the potential implications for other cities and the future expansion of the partnership.