Introduction

CNBC reports that Waymo, Alphabet's autonomous driving subsidiary, has announced its next testing phase in Philadelphia. A limited fleet of vehicles will be deployed, each with a safety driver on board.

On July 7, Waymo tweeted, "This city is a national treasure, brimming with love, and its eagles soar with resilience. Our next road trip is to Philadelphia."

This is more than just a drive; it holds the secrets and boundless potential of the autonomous driving industry. Meanwhile, Tesla's autonomous driving efforts are still in their nascent stages. This should prove interesting!

Let's dive into this with Unmanned Vehicles Are Coming (Public Account: Unmanned Vehicles Are Coming)!

I. Philadelphia Embraces the Challenge: Waymo's New Mission

Waymo's social media post is poetic and well-prepared! With this momentum, one might think they're heading to Philadelphia for a poetry reading!

In reality, Waymo plans to conduct tests in Philadelphia this fall. Initially, the vehicles will be manually driven to familiarize themselves with the city's layout, akin to exploring a new map in a video game.

The routes will cover the heart of Philadelphia, from downtown to highways, from North Central to Eastwick, and from the university town to the Delaware River in the east. It's like a foodie visiting every street in a new city to sample all the delicacies.

Why Philadelphia?

Waymo aims to gather map data during this "road trip" to assess the performance of its autonomous driving technology, Waymo Driver, in a new environment. Every city has a unique character, with distinct traffic patterns and infrastructure, much like flavored hot pots that need individual adaptation.

Companies often use this method to determine if they can offer paid ride-hailing services in specific areas. It seems Waymo is paving the way for its future revenue model!

II. New York Takes the Plunge: First Step in the Biggest City

Waymo isn't content with stirring things up in Philadelphia; last month, it also announced tests in New York, a significant step in the largest city in the US!

It's akin to a brave explorer setting out to conquer the highest peak.

Waymo has applied for a permit from the New York City Department of Transportation to conduct autonomous driving tests in Manhattan. However, current state laws prohibit driverless operation, so a trained expert must be present in the driver's seat, akin to a new driver on the road with an experienced escort.

Imagine Waymo's autonomous vehicles navigating New York's bustling streets, competing with pedestrians and other vehicles.

Perhaps one day, you'll witness an intriguing scene on New York's streets: a Waymo car stops smoothly at an intersection, while the taxi driver beside it stretches his neck curiously, muttering, "Can this thing drive better than me?"

III. Current Achievements: The Path to Paid Service Dominance

Waymo isn't all talk; it's thriving in the existing market.

Currently, Waymo One offers over 250,000 paid rides per week in Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Austin. These numbers are astonishing—a global champion!

It's like a super popular restaurant with thousands of customers queuing daily to savor its delicious offerings.

In San Francisco, many commuters have become loyal Waymo fans. They no longer worry about finding parking or getting frustrated in traffic. Instead, they sit comfortably in the car, reading news, listening to music, and effortlessly reaching the office.

A San Francisco-based programmer said, "Waymo is like my personal driver, picking me up and dropping me off on time every day, making me look forward to going to work."

Moreover, Waymo isn't content with the status quo and plans to expand fully autonomous ride services to Atlanta, Miami, and Washington, D.C., by 2026. It's like a character in a game constantly leveling up and unlocking new levels; the future looks promising!

Tesla, however, finds itself in a tough spot; it recently started and encountered an accident within days! How can it compete under these circumstances?

III. Profitability Pressure: Alphabet's Sweet Burden

As Alphabet invests heavily in infrastructure, Waymo faces pressure to commercialize its AI products and achieve profitability.

It's like a family where parents work hard to provide the best for their children but also hope they learn to earn money independently to reduce the family burden.

In 2024, Alphabet's "Other Bets" segment generated $1.65 billion in revenue, up from $1.53 billion in 2023. However, this segment lost $4.44 billion last year, higher than the $4.09 billion loss in 2023. It's like a student whose exam scores have improved but still haven't met parents' expectations and needs to keep working hard!

Despite these pressures, Waymo remains undeterred, becoming braver with each challenge. It continuously increases R&D investment, improves technology, and expands the market, much like a brave warrior fighting harder on the battlefield for ultimate victory.

IV. Industry Turbulence: The Race for Autonomous Driving Dominance

Waymo is a significant player in the autonomous driving industry, but it's not alone. Other tech companies and traditional automakers have also joined the fray, all vying for a piece of the pie.

For instance, Tesla's Autopilot feature has garnered much attention. Musk, the "mad genius" of the tech world, constantly boasts about Tesla's autonomous driving prowess.

However, Tesla has faced numerous challenges, including frequent autonomous driving accidents, raising questions about the technology's safety. It's like a celebrity who, despite their popularity, also has numerous scandals.

Traditional automakers like General Motors' Cruise are also making strides in autonomous driving. Relying on years of manufacturing experience and technological accumulation, GM aims to secure a place in the autonomous driving market. It's like a seasoned martial arts master; though aged, their profound skills cannot be underestimated.

In this fierce competition, for Waymo to maintain its leading position, it must continually innovate, improve technology, and offer better services. It's like a marathon; one cannot relax just because they're leading; otherwise, they're easily overtaken by competitors.

V. Future Outlook: The Autonomous Driving Horizon

Looking ahead, the autonomous driving industry holds limitless possibilities.

With technological advancements, we anticipate an era of truly driverless vehicles. Our travel habits will undergo significant changes. In the future, we won't need to drive; we'll just order an autonomous vehicle on our phones, and it will arrive on time to take us to our destination.

Furthermore, these vehicles can be shared, reducing the number of cars on the road, alleviating traffic congestion, and lowering environmental pollution. It's like a beautiful utopia people long for.

As a pioneer in autonomous driving, Waymo shoulders the crucial task of advancing the industry. Every attempt and innovation by Waymo could bring new breakthroughs and inspirations to the entire sector. Like a morning star, it illuminates the path forward for autonomous driving.

In summary, Unmanned Vehicles Are Coming (Public Account: Unmanned Vehicles Are Coming) believes:

Waymo's "road trip" to Philadelphia is a small but significant step in its journey. It showcases the unlimited potential of autonomous driving technology and fills us with anticipation for the future!

What do you think, dear reader?

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