Waymo 6th-Generation Robotaxi: Here’s everything new in this driver

Waymo introduced the 6th generation Robotaxi with new improvements and hardware upgrades for better autonomy to enable better capabilities.

Talking about advancements, the new Waymo driver takes the 5th gen design to the next level with 13 cameras, 4 lidar, 6 radar, and a range of external audio receivers (EARs).

The new technology pack is optimized for better performance at reduced cost with increased safety. Its vision system has different layers of view and scenarios covering up to 500 meters away, day and night, and in various weather scenarios.

It has a surround-view of the world from three complementary sensing modalities. Its enhanced camera-radar surround view and better lidars are designed for various on-road driving conditions.

Furthermore, the company has reduced the number of sensors with safety-critical redundancies. These new changes are developed to support autonomous driving systems.

Waymo 6th Generation Driver (Source – Waymo)

The new hardware and sensors are designed to operate in with extreme weather conditions such as heat, fog, rain, and hail. This could only be possible if the company could keep on-board sensors clean enough to maintain vision in different conditions.

The Robotaxi maker says that the data recorded from the 5th-gen driver has helped to manage all onboard technology by applying new “preventive measures” for each sensor to maintain a clear view while driving.

The company has shared image visuals of the 6th generation system undergoing including closed-course testing, simulation, and public road testing. Revealing this matter, the company said it has rigorously validated components at the system level.

In terms of data, Waymo says that it has already tested this new-gen driver for thousands of miles of real-world driving and millions of miles in simulation.

Over the past few weeks, Waymo’s 6th generation driver has appeared in public in camouflage. The company announced that it will bring more updates throughout the development process.

6th Gen Waymo Car Testing in Public (Source – @klwtts/X)

(source – Waymo)