'Waymo Potential Than People Give It Credit For': Redditors Debate Google's Autonomous Driving Technology

A Reddit post on r/stocks by user divine-intervention7 brought Redditors’ attention to Alphabet Inc‘s GOOG GOOGL Waymo. It raised the question of whether the autonomous driving technology company’s potential is underrated. Specially, now that Google is in the midst of recent headlines about Gemini and autonomous vehicles.

The Waymo Thesis

1. Advanced Technology and Commercial Service:
   • Waymo stands out as the most advanced autonomous vehicle technology among competitors the user stated. It has a commercial driverless taxi service already in operation. The service, now approved for operation in Los Angeles, showcases impressive functionality and reliability, potentially surpassing traditional human-driven taxis.
2. Dominance in the Industry:
   • Waymo could become the go-to provider for most carmakers, just like Tesla Inc‘s TSLA dominance in the electric vehicle charging network, the user suggested. Collaborations with various car manufacturers and the potential for widespread adoption, could position Waymo as a key player in the autonomous driving sector.
3. Holistic AI Portfolio:
   • Beyond autonomous driving, the post emphasizes Google’s ownership of Deepmind, a leading AI research lab. Despite not being directly accessible for casual conversation, Deepmind is at the forefront of AI advancements in scientific fields. The user urged others to recognize the comprehensive AI portfolio Google possesses, including its role in autonomous driving technology.

Also Read: This Google-Backed AI Model Could Help Sundar Pichai Achieve What Gemini Couldn’t: Beat OpenAI’s GPT-4

Redditors See Waymo Potential

User Dry_Perception_1682 highlighted the practicality and growing acceptance of Waymo in Phoenix. The user believes it’s proving to be a better and more affordable alternative to Uber Technologies UBER in Phoenix. The everyday sightings of Waymos contribute to normalization.

Another user New-Satisfaction9999 expressed enthusiasm about Waymo’s expansion, especially its capability to operate in various parts of California, showcasing potential for wider adoption.

User Cremedela acknowledged the positive riding experience with Waymo in San Francisco compared to Uber. The user did, however, acknowledge that it tends to be pricier.

User ambassadorodman put a clever twist on the term “Waymo potential,” suggesting that Waymo’s potential might be underestimated. “One might say it has Waymo potential than people give it credit for,” he said.

User callmecrude raised a crucial point about the challenges of autonomous vehicles, emphasizing the high standards required for public acceptance. The user went on to discuss the potential backlash and regulatory hurdles even if Waymo significantly improved road safety.

The overall tone of the Reddit community’s opinions on the post seemed to encourage investors to consider Google’s Waymo as a potential growth driver. Despite challenges in the autonomous vehicle industry, Waymo’s achievements and prospects appear promising for long-term investors.

Read Next: Alphabet Vs. Meta Battle: Which AI Stock Has More Upside?

Photo: Shutterstock