Waymo Introduces 6th-Generation Driver as Foundation for Scaled Expansion

• Waymo is launching its 6th-generation Driver into fully autonomous service.
• The redesigned system lowers hardware costs and is built to scale across more cities and vehicle platforms.

Waymo is beginning fully autonomous operations with its 6th-generation Driver. The company says the system serves as the primary engine for its next era of expansion. Waymo's latest Driver builds on nearly 200 million fully autonomous miles driven across more than 10 major cities and freeways. Drawing from that operating history, Waymo says the new generation is designed to safely extend into more diverse environments, including extreme winter weather, while supporting broader geographic rollout at lower cost.

The 6th-generation Driver centers on a custom multi-modal sensing suite that combines high-resolution cameras, lidar, imaging radar, and external audio receivers. A new 17 megapixel imager delivers higher resolution and dynamic range, allowing the system to operate with fewer cameras. The lidar stack has been redesigned to improve distance measurement and performance in rain, snow, heavy roadspray, and reflective environments. Radar enhancements and updated in-house algorithms strengthen object detection across lighting and weather conditions, while strategically placed external audio receivers help detect and localize sounds such as emergency vehicle sirens and railroad crossings.

The Driver is designed to integrate across different vehicle platforms, including the Ojai and Hyundai IONIQ 5. Production is taking place at Waymo’s Metro Phoenix facility, where the company is scaling toward a capacity of tens of thousands of units per year. As the 6th-generation system begins operations on the Ojai, rides will initially be offered to employees and their guests, with a broader public rollout planned as the rider experience continues to be refined.

🌀 Tom’s Take:

This Driver is designed to expand. It reflects real-world experience and is built to be deployed at scale.

Source: Waymo