Waymo's Generation 6 Driverless System to Accelerate Robotaxi Deployment in Major U.S. Cities

Alphabet-owned Waymo has unveiled its latest "generation 6" self-driving technology, now integrated into Geely Zeekr electric vehicles. This new driverless system is designed to handle a broader range of weather conditions while reducing the need for expensive cameras and sensors.

CNBC was invited to Waymo's Mountain View, California, facility to view the development of the new robotaxis. Satish Jeyachandran, Waymo’s vice president of engineering, expressed confidence in the faster market readiness of this generation, thanks to advances in machine learning and semiconductor technology.

Waymo's commercial robotaxi service first launched in the U.S. in late 2018, using Chrysler Pacifica hybrid minivans and Jaguar I-PACE SUVs. Now, as Waymo seeks to expand its Waymo One service in cities like San Francisco, Phoenix, Austin, and Los Angeles, the company is sharing details about the upcoming robotaxis.

Currently, Waymo handles approximately 50,000 paid driverless trips weekly, primarily in San Francisco and Phoenix. In June, the company opened up rides to all users in San Francisco by removing its waitlist. To date, Waymo has completed over 2 million trips.

In a show of continued support, Alphabet recently announced a $5 billion investment in Waymo, which began as Google's "project chauffeur" in 2009.

Source: Jennifer Elias and Lora Kolodny / CNBC