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Anyone have any insight on how Waymo handles the tight roads? Wonder when it will be coming to the hilly areas of Los Angeles.

by Axsuul 2y ago

abeppu 2y ago
I think the problem now is that individual waymos are ok on relatively narrow streets, streets with hills, being cautious about pedestrians and cyclists, etc. The most frequent issues I notice in SF now are around waymos interacting with other waymos. This particularly involves deadlocking when trying to navigate around each other in tight areas. I've seen this with multiple waymos trying to get around a double-parked delivery van, where a waymo trying to go around blocked a waymo in the oncoming lane and they both stopped. I think this is also related to the issue of waymos honking at each other in their own private parking lot because they were getting in each other's way.
- Axsuul 2y ago
  That sounds promising! What about when needing to do a dance when there's an oncoming car on a tight street in the hills? Does it find a gap or even backup to let the car by? Waymos honking at each other is hilarious.
  - fragmede 2y ago
    Yes I've been in a Waymo that backed up to let someone pass.
    - Axsuul 2y ago
      That's epic!
harmmonica 2y ago
They don't operate yet in the hills around LA, but I trot this example out when talking about Waymo. In LA a lot of the streets in central LA are not marked, have cars parked on both sides and are not wide enough for two cars to drive in opposite directions at the same time (ie they're extremely tight where you have to wait for a car to pass before you can proceed). Waymo has no problem waiting its turn and then going when it's clear. One thing I've noticed, though, is that Waymos have gotten more aggressive in these situations than they used to be (note that they seem to have gotten more bold/aggressive in other circumstances as well). In fact they were so aggressive pulling away from a curb on one of my last rides that I wrote to Waymo support telling them I thought it was too aggressive. Still a very big Waymo fan. Btw, that sense that they're being more aggressive may be entirely in my head, but I'd bet money that it's true, which begs some questions about our robot overlords adapting their behavior to the behavior of the humans around them. Interesting if true.
- mjamesaustin 2y ago
  Honestly glad to hear they're getting more aggressive. It feels like Waymo's biggest issue currently is the low average speed because of extreme levels of caution. Ultimately no car will get you to your destination through LA traffic unless it is driven somewhat assertively.
  - harmmonica 2y ago
    I appreciate the sentiment, but one of the things I originally liked best about Waymo was how serene they would drive. I think you're right, though, it's likely not possible in some cases for it to remain so serene especially because drivers now know they can be a bit more assertive with Waymos and the Waymo will (or use to at least!) back down. Ask me how I know! edit: spelling

Anyone have any insight on how Waymo handles the tight roads? Wonder when it will be coming to the hilly areas of Los Angeles.

by Axsuul 2y ago

Anyone have any insight on how Waymo handles the tight roads? Wonder when it will be coming to the hilly areas of Los Angeles.

abeppu 2y ago

I think the problem now is that individual waymos are ok on relatively narrow streets, streets with hills, being cautious about pedestrians and cyclists, etc. The most frequent issues I notice in SF now are around waymos interacting with other waymos. This particularly involves deadlocking when trying to navigate around each other in tight areas. I've seen this with multiple waymos trying to get around a double-parked delivery van, where a waymo trying to go around blocked a waymo in the oncoming lane and they both stopped. I think this is also related to the issue of waymos honking at each other in their own private parking lot because they were getting in each other's way.

Axsuul 2y ago
That sounds promising! What about when needing to do a dance when there's an oncoming car on a tight street in the hills? Does it find a gap or even backup to let the car by? Waymos honking at each other is hilarious.
- fragmede 2y ago
  Yes I've been in a Waymo that backed up to let someone pass.
  - Axsuul 2y ago
    That's epic!

harmmonica 2y ago

They don't operate yet in the hills around LA, but I trot this example out when talking about Waymo. In LA a lot of the streets in central LA are not marked, have cars parked on both sides and are not wide enough for two cars to drive in opposite directions at the same time (ie they're extremely tight where you have to wait for a car to pass before you can proceed). Waymo has no problem waiting its turn and then going when it's clear. One thing I've noticed, though, is that Waymos have gotten more aggressive in these situations than they used to be (note that they seem to have gotten more bold/aggressive in other circumstances as well). In fact they were so aggressive pulling away from a curb on one of my last rides that I wrote to Waymo support telling them I thought it was too aggressive. Still a very big Waymo fan. Btw, that sense that they're being more aggressive may be entirely in my head, but I'd bet money that it's true, which begs some questions about our robot overlords adapting their behavior to the behavior of the humans around them. Interesting if true.

mjamesaustin 2y ago
Honestly glad to hear they're getting more aggressive. It feels like Waymo's biggest issue currently is the low average speed because of extreme levels of caution. Ultimately no car will get you to your destination through LA traffic unless it is driven somewhat assertively.
- harmmonica 2y ago
  I appreciate the sentiment, but one of the things I originally liked best about Waymo was how serene they would drive. I think you're right, though, it's likely not possible in some cases for it to remain so serene especially because drivers now know they can be a bit more assertive with Waymos and the Waymo will (or use to at least!) back down. Ask me how I know! edit: spelling