Waymo announced a new collaboration with Chinese conglomerate Geely – parent company to Volvo, Polestar, Lotus Cars, and (of course) Geely – to build their all-electric autonomous taxis. The company promises a new US ride-hailing service that will compete with Uber/Lyft by being “rider-first”.
What’s more, Waymo’s new self-driving cabs will have no steering wheel.
“We will integrate our Waymo Driver into a version of the new mobility-focused, all-electric Zeekr vehicle,” reads Waymo’s official press announcement. “(It) will be designed in Sweden specially for autonomous ride-hailing … (this) rider-first vehicle features a flat floor for more accessible entry, easy ingress and egress thanks to a B-pillarless design, low step-in height, generous head and legroom, and fully adjustable seats.”
The involvement of Volvo’s parent company should help even the most cautious riders feel at ease in the new “Waymo Driver” controlled Zeekr cab, with the open interior floorplan and flat, transmission tunnel-free floor going a long way to make people feel comfortable in the new vehicle, as well.
There’s no word yet on when Waymo’s first full-scale launch of its autonomous ride-hailing robotaxi service will be, but the company expects to have prototypes like these in operation in Phoenix and San Francisco as early as 2022.
In the meantime, you can check out Waymo’s original self-driving pilot program, which uses Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans loaded up with advanced sensors and AI controls, in this video, below. Check it out!
Waymo’s Original Self-Driving Prototype RoboTaxi
Original content from Electrify Expo.
Waymo announced a new collaboration with Chinese conglomerate Geely – parent company to Volvo, Polestar, Lotus Cars, and (of course) Geely – to build their all-electric autonomous taxis. The company promises a new US ride-hailing service that will compete with Uber/Lyft by being “rider-first”.
What’s more, Waymo’s new self-driving cabs will have no steering wheel.
“We will integrate our Waymo Driver into a version of the new mobility-focused, all-electric Zeekr vehicle,” reads Waymo’s official press announcement. “(It) will be designed in Sweden specially for autonomous ride-hailing … (this) rider-first vehicle features a flat floor for more accessible entry, easy ingress and egress thanks to a B-pillarless design, low step-in height, generous head and legroom, and fully adjustable seats.”
The involvement of Volvo’s parent company should help even the most cautious riders feel at ease in the new “Waymo Driver” controlled Zeekr cab, with the open interior floorplan and flat, transmission tunnel-free floor going a long way to make people feel comfortable in the new vehicle, as well.
There’s no word yet on when Waymo’s first full-scale launch of its autonomous ride-hailing robotaxi service will be, but the company expects to have prototypes like these in operation in Phoenix and San Francisco as early as 2022.
In the meantime, you can check out Waymo’s original self-driving pilot program, which uses Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans loaded up with advanced sensors and AI controls, in this video, below. Check it out!
Waymo’s Original Self-Driving Prototype RoboTaxi
Original content from Electrify Expo.
