TECHNOLOGY

Waymo: A Safe Ride on New Year's Eve

Los Angeles, USAWed Jan 01 2025
Celebrating New Year's Eve without worrying about drunk drivers. That's the promise of Waymo, a self-driving car service. Dr. Brian Hoeflinger, a neurosurgeon from Ohio, knows the pain of losing a loved one to a drunk driving accident. His son Brian died in 2013. Now, he's hoping that Waymo can prevent such tragedies. Waymo cars don't get drunk or angry. They don't make mistakes due to human emotions. According to Waymo, their Driver technology is 72% less likely to cause injury-causing collisions than human drivers. Waymo cars see in all directions, up to 300 yards away, day or night. They use strong artificial intelligence to predict where other objects are going. So, even if you're not the one driving, you're safer. But what if you're not feeling well during the ride? Waymo's AI can detect if a rider is incapacitated or not wearing a seatbelt. Plus, there are always support agents available. Waymo might not be perfect right away, but Dr. Hoeflinger believes it's a step in the right direction. It could save many lives in the long run.

questions

    What are the potential privacy concerns with AI monitoring passengers?
    If Waymo cars can drive us home safely on New Year's Eve, can they also ensure we don't spill our champagne?
    How does Waymo's safety record compare to other autonomous vehicle companies?

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