Waymo sixth-generation hardware costs less for driverless expansion

If you live in cities like San Francisco, Phoenix, Los Angeles, Austin, or Atlanta, you may have already seen or even taken a ride in Waymo’s driverless car that operates without a human behind the wheel. in Newer markets like Miamithe service is being rolled out, while other cities, including Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Orlando, are part of Waymo’s expansion plans.

For everyone else, not so much. At least not yet. For most of us, this still feels like something that happens somewhere else, rather than something that stops when you request a ride.

However, that could start to change very soon. Waymo just unveiled its sixth generation of Waymo Driver devices, and the headline is simple: They cost less and fit more vehicles. This combination could help bring driverless rides to many more cities, faster than you and I might expect.

The robotaxi price war has begun. Here’s everything you need to know.

Waymo’s new sixth-generation hardware will debut in the Zeekr-built Ojai minivan before expanding to more vehicles and cities. (Waymo)

Sign up for my free CyberGuy report Get the best tech tips, breaking security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – for free when you join my site CYBERGUY.COM Newsletter

Why are Waymo’s cheap robotics changing the game?

Until recently, if you saw a Waymo on the road, it was usually a Jaguar I-Pace. Beautiful car. It was not specifically designed to launch a massive robotaxi. The sixth generation system changes that. The first vehicle to carry the new devices is the Zeekr-built Ojai electric minivan. Zeekr is owned by Geely. Waymo employees in Los Angeles and San Francisco will begin fully self-driving rides soon, with public access expected to follow. In these new deployments, Waymo says the vehicles will operate without safety drivers behind the wheel. After that, the devices will also run Hyundai Ioniq 5 variants.

Here is where this really matters. When Waymo can install the same system across multiple types of vehicles and produce it at a lower cost, scaling becomes much easier. The company says it plans to move into 20 additional cities this year and is ramping up its Metro Phoenix facility to build tens of thousands of starter kits annually.

Waymo says it has shifted more processing power to its custom silicon chips, allowing it to use fewer cameras while improving performance and reducing the overall cost of the system. More vehicles and lower costs mean one thing: a better chance of driverless rides appearing in your city sooner rather than later.

How a Waymo driver actually sees the road

If you’ve never taken a robotaxi before, this is the part you’re probably wondering. It uses the sixth generation Waymo Driver 16 17-megapixel HD camerasShort-range lidar, radar, and external audio receivers. Waymo says the updated cameras offer improved dynamic range compared to the previous setup of 29 cameras. This helps the car perform better at night and in bright glare.

Short-range lidar provides centimeter-level accuracy to detect pedestrians, cyclists and other road users. Radar adds another layer of awareness. Waymo says its updated imaging radar can track distance, speed and size of an object even in rain or snow, giving the system more time to react. External audio receivers can detect sirens or trains by sound.

Unlike Tesla, which focused on camera-based systems, Waymo is building on that Multiple overlapping technologies. If one sensor is struggling, another can support it. There is also a cleaning system for the main sensors. Snow, dirt or road spray should not easily obstruct visibility.

Waymo says this version is designed to operate in more extreme weather, including extreme winter conditions, which could open the door to colder U.S. cities that were previously difficult to support.

Waymo Driver combines high-resolution cameras, lidar and radar to create a 360-degree view of the road, even at night or in bad weather. (Waymo)

Why haven’t you seen a Waymo robotaxi yet?

Right now, Waymo has about 1,500 vehicles on the road. That sounds like a lot until you compare it to the millions of cars in the United States. The company wants to increase that number to about 3,500 this year and eventually to tens of thousands. However, the service is limited to certain parts of certain cities. If you don’t live in one of these areas, you simply won’t see one.

That’s why this new device is important. When the system is less expensive and fits more vehicles, Waymo can put more cars on the road in more places. It’s not about adding flashy features or fancy upgrades. It’s about going from a small space to something that feels natural in everyday life.

What about safety and past accidents?

As self-driving cars expand, safety questions come with them. Waymo says its system is designed using… Multiple layers of repetition. The sixth-generation driver combines cameras, lidar, radar and acoustic detection so that the car is no longer dependent on a single sensor. This multi-layered setup is designed to reduce risk if one system experiences a problem. The company says this latest system relies on nearly 200 million fully self-driving miles across more than 10 major cities, including dense urban centers and highways.

However, accidents have occurred. Earlier this year, Waymo’s vehicle participate in An accident that injured a childThis has raised new concerns about how autonomous vehicles will respond in complex real-world situations. Regulators continue to closely monitor the performance of autonomous vehicles, especially in states like California, where reporting requirements are strict.

WAYMO is under federal investigation after child was injured

Waymo also released data indicating that its cars experience fewer injury-causing crashes per mile than human drivers in similar areas. Proponents argue that reducing human error can improve road safety over time. Critics say expanding too quickly could introduce new risks.

Both things can be true. Technology is advancing, but public trust will depend on transparency, accountability and long-term safety performance.

What does this mean for you?

If Waymo expands in your city, you may soon open the ride-sharing app and see a new option. There is no driver. No conversation. Just a vehicle that navigates using software and sensors.

More vehicles may mean shorter waiting times in busy areas. Increased competition may also impact prices in the ride-sharing market. At the same time, comfort levels vary. Many passengers may hesitate before getting into a car with an empty front seat. This transformation is about more than just technology. It is changing how people move, travel and navigate urban areas.

Take my quiz: How secure is your online security?

With lower costs and broader vehicle compatibility, Waymo hopes to put more self-driving cars on real city streets soon. (Waymo)

Do you think your devices and data are really protected? Take this quick quiz to see where your digital habits stand. From passwords to Wi-Fi settings, you’ll get personalized analysis of what you’re doing right and what needs improvement. Take my test here: Cyberguy.com

Key takeaways for Kurt

Waymo’s sixth generation driver is all about one thing: getting more self-driving cars on the road, in more cities, at a lower cost. As devices become cheaper and easier to install in different vehicles, expansion becomes easier. This does not automatically mean that everyone will be comfortable moving around. For many people, sitting in a driverless car can still be a bit scary. Technology is moving forward whether we are ready or not. The bigger question is simple: Will we feel confident enough to go in?

If you had to choose today, would you book a driverless ride or wait for a human behind the wheel? Let us know by writing to us at Cyberguy.com

Click here to download the FOX NEWS app

Sign up for my free CyberGuy report Get the best tech tips, breaking security alerts, and exclusive deals delivered straight to your inbox. Plus, you’ll get instant access to my Ultimate Scam Survival Guide – for free when you join my site CYBERGUY.COM Newsletter

Copyright 2026 CyberGuy.com. All rights reserved.