WAYMO CREATES VIRTUAL DRIVER TO BOOST ROBOTAXI SAFETY

Waymo's new virtual driver, called ReD, simulates human driving behavior to test and refine its robotaxi technology. The system identifies scenarios where autonomous vehicles struggle, helping engineers address gaps in the technology. ReD allows Waymo to run simulations of complex driving situations without deploying physical test vehicles. This accelerates the discovery of edge cases—rare or unusual situations that could cause accidents. The virtual driver complements Waymo's existing testing methods, which include real-world driving and computer simulations. By modeling human decision-making, ReD helps the company understand how its robotaxis should respond in unpredictable conditions. Waymo has been operating driverless robotaxi services in San Francisco and Phoenix. Improving safety and reliability remains critical as the company expands its fleet and service areas.