Latest Developments in Self-Driving Technology: Waymo and Cruise Leading the Way
In the rapidly evolving world of autonomous vehicles, two key players, Waymo and Cruise LLC, are making strides in ensuring the safety of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists.
Waymo, based in San Francisco, has been at the forefront of this mission. A 2025 peer-reviewed study by Waymo researchers revealed that collisions involving their vehicles are significantly less frequent than those involving human drivers. The study found a 82% reduction in collisions with bicycles and motorcycles, and a staggering 92% reduction in collisions with pedestrians [1]. This impressive safety record underscores Waymo’s ability to detect and respond effectively to vulnerable road users (VRUs).
Waymo's approach to safety is multifaceted. They employ a suite of advanced sensors, including LiDAR, radar, and cameras, combined with AI and machine learning to perceive the environment, predict behaviours, and navigate. The company emphasises the critical role of LiDAR and radar in ensuring safety under various conditions [1][5].
Transparency and regulatory compliance are also key for Waymo. They publish detailed safety reports and have undergone regulatory scrutiny by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA). Despite several minor incidents, investigations concluded there are no systemic safety issues, with voluntary software updates focusing on improving obstacle detection and navigation in complex and urban environments [1][2].
Waymo's testing includes challenging urban and winter conditions, where VRUs are common, such as Boston, New York, and Philadelphia. This approach ensures their systems are robust in a variety of environments [3].
Meanwhile, Cruise LLC, another San Francisco-based autonomous vehicle company, has recently come under scrutiny. They agreed to a deferred prosecution agreement and a $500,000 fine for submitting a false report to the NHTSA regarding a 2023 crash. In this incident, a Cruise vehicle ran over a pedestrian thrown into its path and subsequently dragged the individual due to its detection system's failure [6].
The agreement requires Cruise to accept responsibility, implement a Safety Compliance Program, cooperate with investigations, and submit annual compliance reports for three years [6]. Cruise's internal investigation, cooperation with authorities, and operational improvements were considered in the resolution.
Waymo, in partnership with research partner VUFO, is also working to address existing gaps in VRU injury risk modeling. They have incorporated data from the German In-Depth Accident Study (GIDAS) to build more holistic injury risk models [7]. The study, conducted in six major U.S. cities, leveraged over 500 million miles of Nexar's driving data to gain unprecedented detail on crash scenarios [8].
The focus on VRUs extends beyond Waymo and Cruise. The NHTSA estimates 7,522 pedestrian and 1,105 cyclist fatalities in 2022 alone [9], highlighting the urgent need for continued research and improvements in this area.
As the autonomous vehicle industry continues to grow, the safety of all road users remains a top priority for companies like Waymo and Cruise. Through advanced technology, rigorous testing, and transparency, these companies are working to create a safer future for everyone.
[1] Waymo Safety Report 2021: https://static.waymo.com/waymo/files/safety_report_2021.pdf [2] NHTSA Investigation of Waymo: https://www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/autonomous-vehicles/waymo [3] Waymo's Urban and Winter Testing: https://www.waymo.com/blog/urban-testing/ [4] Cruise's Deferred Prosecution Agreement: https://www.justice.gov/usao-ndca/pr/cruise-llc-agrees-deferred-prosecution-agreement-resolve-false-reporting-charges [5] Waymo's Sensor Technology: https://www.waymo.com/blog/sensor-fusion/ [6] Cruise's 2023 Crash Investigation: https://www.cnbc.com/2023/05/18/cruise-agreed-to-pay-500000-to-resolve-false-reporting-charges.html [7] Waymo-VUFO Collaboration: https://www.waymo.com/blog/vufo-collaboration/ [8] Waymo-Nexar Study: https://www.waymo.com/blog/nexar-collaboration/ [9] NHTSA Traffic Safety Facts: https://crashstats.nhtsa.dot.gov/Api/Public/ViewPublication/813356
- In the competitive field of autonomous vehicles, Waymo, a leader based in San Francisco, and Cruise LLC, another key player, are consistently scrutinized for their roles in shaping the safety of road users.
- While Waymo's technology intelligently reduces collisions with vulnerable road users, a 2023 incident involving Cruise led to a deferred prosecution agreement and a $500,000 fine due to a false report to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- Amidst this, both Waymo and Cruise are diligently working with research partners, such as VUFO and Nexar, respectively, to refine injury risk models for various road users, emphasizing the importance of pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists in the realm of finance, technology, and general news.
