Self-Driving Cars: The Race Between Waymo and Tesla

In the race to dominate the self-driving car market, two big players are going head-to-head: Waymo and Tesla.

Waymo: The Long Game

• Experience: Over 10 years in development.
• Miles Driven: Over 100 million miles without a driver.
• Service Expansion: Doubled its service area in Austin.
• Partnerships: Teamed up with Uber for easy ride-hailing.
• Technology: Uses lidar sensors and high-definition maps, focusing on safety.
• Current Status: Offers fully driverless rides in multiple cities.

Tesla: The New Kid on the Block

• Promises: Self-driving cars that can make money while you sleep.
• Robotaxi Launch: Finally launched in Austin in late June, but only for a select group.
• Service Area: Much smaller than Waymo's.
• Technology: Relies on cameras and neural networks, aiming for a cheaper and faster solution.
• Current Status: Still in the testing phase, with limited access.

Who's Ahead?

• Waymo is currently leading with larger service areas, fully driverless rides, and rapid expansion.
• Tesla is still catching up, with many challenges to overcome before reaching Waymo's level.