I haven’t lived in NYC, but I have lived in Boston. Isn’t the real concern winter? Has Waymo (or any other self driving tech company) shown that it can handle the snow well: non-visible lanes, downshifting to avoid braking, etc.?

Definitely interested in how this turns out.

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adrr 3 days ago | parent | next [-]

They tested in Buffalo last year and have in tested Michigan.

https://www.wkbw.com/news/local-news/inside-the-self-driving...

	▲	massung 3 days ago \| parent [-]
		Didn’t know that. Good for them!

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tacticalturtle 3 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Even if they never actually solve winter driving, they could just… not drive during the winter?

If there’s a high probability of below freezing temperatures, cars can just make their way out of the city to some parking lot to hunker down.

Or move them elsewhere in the country during the winter months.

	▲	1970-01-01 3 days ago \| parent [-]
		Having a seasonal service is not a bad idea. The big problem with that is cutoff times. Too early and people will complain when they can't get a ride when no snow is on the ground. Too late and you're liable for everything that happens when the road is covered in thin ice or sleet, including leaving someone stranded. You will need very accurate weather predictions for operating over the winter months.

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conradkay 3 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

Probably just don't have them drive during snowy conditions. Roads are fine almost all the time during normal hours

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tencentshill 3 days ago | parent | prev | next [-]

GM and Ford do quite a lot of self-driving testing in Michigan.

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brrrrrm 3 days ago | parent | prev [-]

downshifting? these are all electric vehicles IIUC