Waymo, the autonomous vehicle company, has recently resolved an issue with their self-driving cars honking at each other while idling in a parking lot. The problem was brought to light when residents near the parking lot reported hearing the honking, despite Waymo’s efforts to address the issue with a software patch. The honking became the subject of a livestream set up by software engineer Sophia Tung, who lived near the idling taxis. Tung’s livestream featured a soundtrack of lo-fi music, paying tribute to the popular “LoFi Girl” channel on YouTube.
Waymo’s Director of Product and Operations, Vishay Nihalani, joined the livestream to address the ongoing honking situation. Nihalani explained that honking had originally been programmed as an intentional feature for Waymo’s taxis when cruising on public roads to avoid collisions. However, honking at each other while idling in the parking lot was never intended. Waymo has since updated all their taxis to eliminate this unintended honking behavior.
Despite this hiccup, Waymo’s self-driving taxi service continues to expand. The service is currently available in San Francisco, Phoenix, and a large area of Los Angeles, stretching from Santa Monica to Downtown. In May, Waymo announced that their taxis were providing 50,000 paid trips per week, demonstrating the increasing popularity and trust in autonomous vehicles.
As for Tung’s livestream, now that the honking issue has been resolved, viewers can still tune in to observe the parking lot without any disruptive sounds. The livestream provides a unique and relaxing perspective on the presence of self-driving taxis in San Francisco, giving viewers a glimpse into the future of transportation.
Overall, Waymo’s approach to resolving the honking problem showcases their commitment to improving their self-driving technology and addressing any concerns that arise. With their expanding service and the continuous development of their autonomous vehicles, Waymo is playing a pivotal role in shaping the future of transportation.
