Tech Brew Ride Home (Bonus) Waymo's Head of Hardware, Satish Jeyachandran
Oct 5, 2019
Satish Jeyachandran, Head of Hardware at Waymo and former leader of Tesla's self-driving team, shares insights on the evolution of self-driving technology. He discusses the journey of Waymo from Google to an independent entity, revealing the challenges and necessity of achieving full autonomy. Satish explains why half measures aren't viable and delves into innovative sensing systems that enhance safety and object detection. The conversation also covers advancements in Level 4 autonomy and the complexities of human behavior in ensuring reliable self-driving experiences.
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Why Full Autonomy?
- Waymo learned that partial autonomy is insufficient due to human behavior.
- Full autonomy, or Level 4, is necessary for true safety, as human drivers become complacent with assistive technology.
Waymo's In-House Sensor Development
- In 2011, Waymo began developing its own sensors in-house due to the limitations of existing technology.
- Available sensors were inadequate for Waymo's ambitious Level 4 autonomy goals, leading to the in-house development of sensors.
Waymo's Technological Package
- Waymo’s technological package includes LiDAR, radar, and cameras working together.
- The combination of these three systems provides a comprehensive 360-degree view for unparalleled sensing capabilities.