Waymo CEO says camera-only self-driving systems cant support fully autonomous driving systems, and after testing multiple robotaxis, I have to agree

Date:
Thu, 06 Aug 2026 23:00:00 +0000

Description:
Waymo CEO says camera-only self-driving cant go all the way and I have to agree

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Camera-only systems can only approximately match a human driver Multi-sensing setup offers more than just
a failsafe Waymo co-CEO backs the use of Lidar and radar over camera-only systems Waymo co-CEO Dmitri Dolgov has spoken out about the technology required to run a fully autonomous robotaxi service , addressing the subject of camera-only systems.

While he didnt mention Tesla directly in his in-depth talk at Y Combinators Startup School, the presentation directly addressed vision-only camera
setups, like those Elon Musk and Tesla have been pursuing. Humans, of course, can drive with just eyes, so theres that proof of existence, he said, according to Electrek . Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

If the goal were to just approximately match human performance or to build an assist product, thats a very reasonable way to go.

But weak sensing inevitably leads to a safety curve that flattens out way too early, he added, highlighting the many cases where a camera system can come unstuck. You may like Rivian's boss says Level 4 autonomous driving is
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Low light or poor visibility, dust storms and objects physically blocking the lens can bring a camera-based system to a grinding halt in seconds.

Dolgov then gave an example of how Waymos combination of Lidar, radar and high-definition cameras allowed one stricken vehicle to safely navigate
itself back to a depot when a tree branch became caught in its wipers and obscured the camera lens. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me with news and offers from other Future brands Receive email from
us on behalf of our trusted partners or sponsors By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over. Waymo Co-CEO Dmitri Dolgov: The Demo Is Only 1% Of The Work
- YouTube Watch On While Dolgov doesnt completely dismiss camera-based systems, stating that they can easily support a driver with highly autonomous assistance systems, he admits they will struggle to replace a human entirely.

The issue is that fully autonomous robotaxis need to be as close to perfect
as its possible to be.

A mounting record of accidents will likely put off customers for life and
kill the technology before it has time to gain a foothold. What to read next Exclusive: Formula 1 President and CEO Stefano Domenicali backs AI, says
human drivers will stay Samsara's new 360 camera and AI tools look to make work sites safer and smarter for all I replaced Ford's hands-free driving subscription with a $1,000 open-source gadget Many take the multi-modal path (Image credit: Hyundai/Motional) Having ridden in numerous autonomous
vehicles over the years and listened to those that have built them, I am
fully in Dmitri Dolgov's camp.

While a camera-based system might help keep costs down, fitting autonomous vehicles with Lidar, radar, and other sensors feels like a natural and reasonable step to make them as safe as possible.

A visit to Motionals HQ in Las Vegas earlier this year illustrated the need for multiple sensing technologies when you completely remove the driver from the picture.

Its robotaxis, which are now bespoke versions of the Hyundai Ioniq 5
(complete with radar and Lidar), have driven over two million autonomous
miles with zero at-fault incidents.

Like Waymo, it too believes a multimodal approach that fuses various technologies is the safest way forward.

Laura Major, the companys CEO, said at the time that rival startups were able to get to a 90% performance very quickly, often relying solely on high-definition cameras.

These offer really smooth rides in most situations, Major remarked. The problem is when youre going to remove a driver and have true driverless operation, thats not enough. You cant perform well in 90% of the cases, she added.

Admittedly, I haven't ridden in one of Tesla's driverless Robotaxis, but the numbers don't lie.

According to Electrek, Tesla's own data confirms a crash rate three times worse than humans even with a monitor at the wheel, while Waymo's numbers suggest it is 17 times safer after covering some 220 million rider-only
miles.

Tesla has accumulated just 380,000 driverless miles over the past year since launching its robotaxi service. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to get our expert news, reviews, and opinion in your feeds.



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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/vehicle-tech/hybrid-electric-vehicles/waymo-ceo-says -camera-only-self-driving-systems-cant-support-fully-autonomous-driving-system s-and-after-testing-multiple-robotaxis-i-have-to-agree


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