Mexican Media Brands
Waymo Retires Self-Driving Bubble Car
Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo autonomous car unit is officially retiring its fleet of "Firefly" bubble-shaped prototype autonomous vehicles as it ramps up testing of its automated technologies in modified production cars and trucks.
Share
Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo autonomous car unit is officially retiring its fleet of "Firefly" bubble-shaped prototype autonomous vehicles as it ramps up testing of its automated technologies in modified production cars and trucks.
Waymo started its self-driving research program in 2009 as Google Project X and has logged about 3 million miles of testing on public roads since then with its distinctive Firefly cars. The company, which aims to supply integrated hardware and software to carmakers, began testing the first of 600 specially equipped Chrysler Pacifica minivans earlier this year.
Several of the Firefly cars, which also have been nicknamed “gumdrops” and "koalas," will be displayed around the world. This year’s venues include the Arizona Science Center in Phoenix, The Thinkery in Austin, Tex., the Computer History Museum in Mountain View, Calif., and London’s Design Museum.
RELATED CONTENT
-
On Fuel Cells, Battery Enclosures, and Lucid Air
A skateboard for fuel cells, building a better battery enclosure, what ADAS does, a big engine for boats, the curious case of lean production, what drivers think, and why Lucid is remarkable
-
Multiple Choices for Light, High-Performance Chassis
How carbon fiber is utilized is as different as the vehicles on which it is used. From full carbon tubs to partial panels to welded steel tube sandwich structures, the only limitation is imagination.
-
On Automotive: An All Electric Edition
A look at electric vehicle-related developments, from new products to recycling old batteries.
