When Are Waymo Cars Coming to Minnesota Roadways?

Like it or not, self-driving cars are now a part of American life. Go anywhere in Los Angeles and you'll likely see Google's Waymo car driving along the city's streets. But when will we start seeing them on Minnesota roads?

They'll definitely be here, sooner rather than later, but a few challenges remain before Waymo will be a staple on Minnesota roadways.

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When is Waymo Coming to Minnesota Roadways?

While the technology is there and the interest level is high, the biggest hurdle preventing Waymo from entering the Twin Cities market? Snow.

Waymo uses cameras that struggle to detect lane markers when they're covered in snow, according to University of Minnesota mechanical engineering professor Rajesh Rajamani, who has been researching the topic and using the technology on a U-owned autonomous vehicle. Waymo also uses lidar and radar sensors, which can detect boundaries even when there's snow, Rajamani said. But those sensors require engineers to label street signs, traffic lights and buildings, which is a long and painstaking effort.

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While significant issues remain before Waymo cars will be seen on Minnesota streets, make no mistake, it's an inevitability. Experts believe that self-driving cars could be a reality throughout much of the U.S. within the next five years.

To learn more about Waymo cars and their pros and cons, check out the article from Linkedin below.

Story Sources: Linkedin Website