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.
Amazon has halted its drone delivery operations in College Station, Texas, less than two years after launching the service there. While Amazon claims the pause is temporary and part of a "normal business operations" evolution, the move raises questions about the viability and scalability of the company's drone delivery ambitions. The company states it remains committed to drone delivery and plans to resume service in College Station at some point, but has not provided a timeline. This pause follows a similar shutdown in California earlier this year and comes amidst broader cost-cutting measures at Amazon.
HN commenters discuss the abrupt halt of Amazon's drone delivery program in College Station, expressing skepticism about the viability of drone delivery in general. Some suggest the technology isn't mature enough, citing concerns about noise, safety, and scalability. Others speculate about behind-the-scenes issues like regulatory hurdles, cost-effectiveness problems, or even technical failures. A few commenters point out the limited scope of the program and question whether it was ever intended to be more than a pilot project. The overall sentiment seems to be one of disappointment mixed with a belief that drone delivery still faces significant obstacles.
The New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) is establishing a new trading floor in Arlington, Texas, called NYSE Texas. Scheduled to open in 2027, this facility will serve as a disaster recovery and backup site for the NYSE's existing operations. It will also house a physical trading floor mirroring the iconic NYSE in New York City, offering a venue for in-person trading and important corporate events like IPO ceremonies. This expansion aims to increase the exchange's resiliency and geographical diversity.
Hacker News commenters were generally cynical about the announcement of NYSE Texas. Many saw it as a thinly veiled attempt to circumvent regulations, potentially relating to taxes or data sovereignty, with some speculating about connections to Texas's lax regulatory environment. Several pointed out the irony of a New York institution establishing a Texas branch for supposed advantages, while others questioned the practical implications and whether any significant trading activity would actually relocate. Some suggested the move was more about optics and public relations than genuine operational needs, especially given the existing electronic nature of trading. A few commenters expressed curiosity about the specifics of the "cutting edge financial technology" mentioned in the press release, but overall the sentiment was skeptical.
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.