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> Waymo instead of being generalized, works off of a detailed map for each region they drive in. They have a complete expectation of every detail on those roads
by ra7 2y ago
> Waymo instead of being generalized, works off of a detailed map for each region they drive in. They have a complete expectation of every detail on those roads and so then only need to account for the dynamic unknowns on the road.
This isn't entirely true. Everything at Waymo is built to be generalizable. Engineers and execs at Waymo have said to multiple times, as recently as yesterday [1].
They are able to drive just fine without up-to-date maps as well. It's an assumption built in to the system. The cars are also self-mapping. Ultimately, maps are just another input to the general driving software. The same driving software is deployed across all their cities.
[1] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6RndtrwJKE https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d6RndtrwJKE
- minwcnt5 2y agoA map is really just a data cache, I've been surprised so many technical people see it as a flaw. It seems like an important feature to me!
- ra7 2y agoA cache is exactly how I explain maps to people. They are saving precious compute cycles not computing the same static objects over and over again, by N number of vehicles.
- infecto 2y agoA con does not have to be a flaw. But I would see it as a tradeoff. With all of these companies its hard to sometimes see beneath the curtain of what they promote.
- infecto 2y agoAre they deployed into any cities where they are not actively mapping?
- ra7 2y agoThey test in many cities (Buffalo, Tahoe, Bellevue, NYC) . But they won't deploy to any cities which they haven't mapped because they consider it critical to safety.
- lopkeny12ko 2y ago> But they won't deploy to any cities which they haven't mapped And therein lies the fundamental flaw with Waymo's approach...
- infecto 2y agoSo the answer is no and that's why I outline it as a potential con. They are unable to just drop deployment into a new city, they as a matter of history, map out the entire city and keep an active map of the driving territory. I have no idea who wins in this dog and pony show but I think its a valid potential con and a easy way to see some of the decision differences in companies.
- AStonesThrow 2y agoDoes Google Earth/Maps/StreetView not count as mapping? I was feeling certain that all that infrastructure and data was invested into Waymo. It would seem that Google had a huge advantage from running mapping/camera cars for years and years, before SDC were even a glimmer in their eyes.
- rcxdude 2y agoThe mapping that waymo uses is much more detailed than streetview, the biggest difference being that it includes lidar data. I wouldn't be surprised if they combined the two for some of their latest data updates, but the pre-existing streetview data is not obviously enough to give an advantage.
- deleted 2y ago[deleted]