The concept of self-driving taxis roaming around a city while we sleep may seem like something out of a sci-fi movie, but in reality, it is happening right now in San Francisco. Sophia Tung, a software engineer, has been livestreaming a parking lot rented by Waymo to showcase what their robotaxis are up to during their downtime.
Tung set up the livestream at the beginning of the month, providing viewers with a real-time look at the activities of the Waymo cars. She runs the livestream off a mini PC with a webcam surrounded by a cereal box to reduce glare. The stream is accompanied by LoFi study beats, creating a unique ambiance for viewers to tune into.
Waymo recently opened up its robotaxi service to anyone in San Francisco, allowing the general public to experience autonomous rides within the city. This move has sparked interest in the technology and has led to an increase in curiosity about the operations of the self-driving taxis.
According to Tung, the Waymo cars typically start to fill up the parking lot around 4AM. This marks the beginning of what she describes as a maddening ballet of autonomous parking and honking. The noise can last for up to an hour before settling down, showcasing the intricacies of the self-driving technology.
In response to the honking behavior exhibited by the Waymo vehicles in the parking lot, company representative Chris Bonelli stated that Waymo is aware of the issue and is working to fix it. The honking, although brief, has raised questions about the autonomous technology’s interactions in shared spaces and how it can be improved for a smoother experience.
The livestream of Waymo’s self-driving taxis provides a unique glimpse into the behind-the-scenes operations of autonomous vehicles. From the calm moments with just a few cars parked to the bustling activity during peak hours, viewers are able to witness firsthand the advancements in self-driving technology. As companies like Waymo continue to innovate and refine their services, the future of transportation is being reshaped before our eyes.