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by curyous 2290 days ago
I wonder if the extra sensors are to stop it accelerating into stationary objects like the Tesla does.
2 comments

It is my understanding that contrary to tesla's system, waymo's tech is already fully aware of static objects to avoid.

It is also my understanding that none of their cars in computer driven mode drove full speed into a wall or other static obstacle.

The article specifically calls out their radar being able to detect stationary objects, which is unique for automotive radar.
They already had LIDAR, which can easily pick out static objects. The better radar means they have a lower-resolution fallback for poorer weather and longer ranges.
This is adding extra LIDARs, on top of the one they already had. Tesla had its issues because they are trying to do it on the cheap with only cameras, radar, and ultrasonics. That specific failure mode would have been prevented with the hardware that any other self-driving car developer has had for years.