The cost of a Waymo vehicle | $200,000 US dollars

 The cost of a Waymo vehicle, including the specialized autonomous driving technology, is estimated to be around $200,000. This high cost is attributed to the sophisticated sensors, LiDAR, and other hardware required for the self-driving system, as well as the extensive software development. While Waymo doesn't disclose exact figures, estimates and comparisons with other vehicles, like Teslas with Full Self-Driving, suggest the substantial expense. 

Several factors contribute to the high cost: 

• Advanced Sensors:

  Waymo vehicles are equipped with a suite of high-resolution cameras, radar, and LiDAR sensors, which are crucial for accurate perception and navigation in various driving conditions.
• Specialized Hardware:

  The autonomous driving system requires specialized computing hardware to process the vast amounts of data generated by the sensors and execute the complex driving algorithms.
• Software Development:

  Developing and refining the sophisticated software that controls the vehicle is a resource-intensive process, requiring significant investment in research and development.
• Mapping and Infrastructure:

  Waymo also invests heavily in creating detailed maps of the areas where their vehicles operate, which is essential for accurate navigation and localization.
• Deployment and Maintenance:

  Beyond the initial cost, there are ongoing expenses related to deploying and maintaining the vehicles, including insurance, maintenance, and potentially remote monitoring staff.

Despite the high initial cost, Waymo aims to reduce expenses in the future through economies of scale, technological advancements, and potential partnerships.