[JumpCrisscross]

> the confidence to design for L5 autonomy from the start

L4. Waymo can't "drive everywhere in all conditions" [1]. (Nobody can. Not to L4 standards of never requiring "you to take over driving.")

[1] https://www.sae.org/blog/sae-j3016-update

[michaelt]

I thought L4 was Tesla Autopilot style, someone in the driving seat, hands on the wheel, ready to take over with half a second's notice, and taking liability for insurance purposes? And the geofenced "freeway driving only" stuff some German carmakers are coming out with?

Whereas Waymo's taxis don't have anyone in the driving seat at all?

[Philpax]

I was under the same impression, but the parent poster is right: the main difference between L4 and L5 is universal applicability. Waymo is L4 as it can drive without a driver, but only in certain areas.

[gizmondo]

> I thought L4 was Tesla Autopilot style, someone in the driving seat, hands on the wheel, ready to take over with half a second's notice, and taking liability for insurance purposes?

That's L2.

[tremon]

> Nobody can

Do you mean this in the sense "even humans can't do this, it's too strict a requirement" or in the sense "no self-driving car has achieved this yet"?

[rsanek]

it can't drive everywhere now, but that doesn't mean they're not designing for that future.