N@N

I Used a Self-Driving Taxi for a Week. Things Got Weird.

The article from Slate discusses the expansion of Waymo's self-driving car service to Austin, Texas, highlighting both the technological advancements and the public's mixed reactions. Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, has been testing its autonomous vehicles in Austin, aiming to provide a ride-hailing service without human drivers. The piece details how these vehicles navigate the city's complex road systems, manage unexpected situations, and interact with both human drivers and pedestrians. It also touches on the skepticism and curiosity from locals, with some residents expressing concerns over safety, job displacement for drivers, and the readiness of the technology for widespread use. Despite these concerns, Waymo's efforts are part of a broader push towards normalizing autonomous vehicles in urban environments, with the company promising improvements in traffic efficiency, safety, and accessibility. The article captures the ongoing debate about the future of transportation, weighing the potential benefits against the current limitations and public apprehension.

Read the Full Slate Article at:
[ https://slate.com/technology/2024/12/waymo-self-driving-cars-autonomous-vehicles-ai-austin-texas.html ]