Waymo plans to scale back truck automation while focusing more on the ride-hailing service business.
Six years after Waymo first tested its autonomous vehicle system in heavy-duty trucks, the company is rolling back the program. The company stressed that the decision was driven by commercial considerations.
Robot taxis have always been a central part of Waymo’s plans. For a long time, however, many saw more opportunities in the development of the autonomous trucks. Waymo also followed this goal. But now they want to focus on the ride-hailing service.
The reason would be like that Pursue, in the enormous commercial opportunities of the ride-hailing space. It is faster than ever to improve the systems and demand in San Francisco, Phoenix and Los Angeles is high.
As a result, Waymo will be shelving the program for its truck commercial and operational efforts and most technical developments in that business unit. Although Waymo emphasizes that it still intends to apply its autonomous vehicle system to trucks, no further details were given on when the program might be renewed or a commercial deal launched.
The majority of Waymo’s trucking team members have moved on to other positions within the company. A few people will be affected by the change, but they will help phase out the program. Waymo has not provided any further details on how many people may be affected.
Despite this change, Waymo remains in partnership with Daimler Truck North America to develop an autonomous truck platform, albeit at a slower pace. Waymo said it will continue its investments in the partnership with Daimler Truck North America, specifically the development of a redundant chassis required for the safe deployment of autonomous trucks. Waymo will continue to conduct limited truck testing.
Other partnerships related to the truck program were terminated, including those with UPS and J.B. hunt The company is currently evaluating options for what to do with a nine-acre hub in Dallas purpose-built for the truck program.