![Kevin Chen](/img/default-banner.jpg)
- 101
- 1 950 130
Kevin Chen
United States
Приєднався 24 чер 2009
I’ve started a video series of autonomous vehicle rides in Cruise and Waymo. Both companies are running robotaxi services in San Francisco. It’s the first time the general public can experience autonomous driving in a dense urban environment.
My focus will always be offering an unbiased look at AV performance and customer experience in the real world - not highlight reels or contrived scenarios. I hope you enjoy these videos as much as I enjoyed making them!
My focus will always be offering an unbiased look at AV performance and customer experience in the real world - not highlight reels or contrived scenarios. I hope you enjoy these videos as much as I enjoyed making them!
Driverless Electric Cars Charging from Diesel Generator
A partial outage of Waymo's robotaxi service on Friday, August 23, 2024, appears to be caused by a power outage at the primary electric vehicle charger location.
If you'd like to support the production of future videos, please check out these links. Thank you for watching!
• One-time donation → www.buymeacoffee.com/kevinchen
• Memberships → www.patreon.com/Kevin_Chen
Not affiliated with Waymo. The views expressed in this video are the personal views of each speaker. They do not necessarily represent the views of their employer. Rides are taken in a personal capacity.
*CHAPTERS*
0:00 Introduction
0:44 Manually locking Waymo vehicles
1:48 Visiting main depot
2:36 Charging area
2:55 Diesel generator
3:42 Conclusion
If you'd like to support the production of future videos, please check out these links. Thank you for watching!
• One-time donation → www.buymeacoffee.com/kevinchen
• Memberships → www.patreon.com/Kevin_Chen
Not affiliated with Waymo. The views expressed in this video are the personal views of each speaker. They do not necessarily represent the views of their employer. Rides are taken in a personal capacity.
*CHAPTERS*
0:00 Introduction
0:44 Manually locking Waymo vehicles
1:48 Visiting main depot
2:36 Charging area
2:55 Diesel generator
3:42 Conclusion
Переглядів: 4 030
Відео
Stalking Waymo’s Zeekr CM1e Robotaxi Prototype
Переглядів 2,6 тис.14 днів тому
I recently had the good fortune of coming across one of Waymo's Zeekr CM1e test vehicles in my neighborhood. I ended up following the car for ~10 minutes. 0:00 Start 0:52 Turn signal 1:41 Driving through speed cushion cutouts 2:13 High mount brake light sync issue 2:52 Better view of turn signal 3:45 Sensor close up view 4:12 360 walk around the vehicle 4:48 Construction zone with lane closure ...
Waymo Driverless Taxi User Interface Tour & Power User Tips
Переглядів 9 тис.3 місяці тому
A tour of Waymo driverless vehicle’s app and in-car user interface including tips like how to add more than four destinations. If you'd like to support the production of future videos, please check out these links. Thank you for watching! • One-time donation → www.buymeacoffee.com/kevinchen • Memberships → www.patreon.com/Kevin_Chen Not affiliated with Waymo. The views expressed in this video a...
Behind the Scenes at Waymo Driverless Taxi Depot
Переглядів 240 тис.3 місяці тому
This video shows Waymo's depot operations, which is a combination of autonomous driving/parking plus manual charging/cleaning. Some locations are only used for parking the driverless Waymo vehicle and minimal staff. Other locations, such as Toland Street, are "full service" with DC fast charging and many employees. All three locations visited are surface parking lots, rather than the enclosed g...
Waymo Driverless Car Encounters Blocked Road | #Waymo Ride Along #33
Переглядів 5 тис.4 місяці тому
This autonomous vehicle ride was mostly uneventful until I accidentally sent Waymo down an alley blocked by an unloading truck. April 8, 2024. *HIGHLIGHTS* 11:50 Entering crowded parking lot 14:55 Entering blocked alley 18:01 Yielding to cyclist and scooter from behind 19:45 Annoying door open nag *SUPPORT MY WORK* If you'd like to support the production of future videos, please check out these...
Driverless Vehicle vs. Steep Hills in San Francisco | #Waymo Ride Along #32
Переглядів 6 тис.4 місяці тому
There are a total of seven sharp grade transitions in the video - use chapters to see them all. Waymo self-driving car ride through some very steep streets in San Francisco. April 8, 2024. *HIGHLIGHTS* 1:45 Very slowly entering traffic 6:38 Sharp grade transition (Taylor St at California St) 9:03 Sharp grade transition (Taylor St at Vallejo St) 19:56 Excessive nudge for lane splitting motorcycl...
Discount Waymo Gets Stuck in Crosswalk | #Waymo Ride Along #31
Переглядів 15 тис.4 місяці тому
Driverless autonomous vehicle gets stuck in front of the Caltrain station, missing several green light cycles. April 8, 2024. *HIGHLIGHTS* 3:59 Stuck in crosswalk for unknown 8:08 Stuck in tight turn 11:23 Executing a Pittsburgh left turn *SUPPORT MY WORK* If you'd like to support the production of future videos, please check out these links. Thank you for watching! • One-time donation → www.bu...
Driverless Waymo Squeezes into Busy Shopping Center | #Waymo Ride Along #30
Переглядів 5 тис.4 місяці тому
AI driver tries to find parking in a crowded LA strip mall. Use chapters to see everything! November 5, 2023. *HIGHLIGHTS* 03:20 Vehicle with open door 05:58 Entering congested parking lot 09:17 Parking lot escape *SUPPORT MY WORK* If you'd like to support the production of future videos, please check out these links. Thank you for watching! • One-time donation → www.buymeacoffee.com/kevinchen ...
AI Driver Gets Impatient in Traffic | #Waymo Ride Along #29
Переглядів 3,1 тис.5 місяців тому
A driverless Waymo autonomous vehicle encounters navigates several challenging merges and cut-ins the evening rush in Los Angeles. Use chapters to see everything! November 5, 2023. *HIGHLIGHTS* 02:15 Waymo gets impatient in traffic 06:16 Yielding to every cut-in from the freeway ramp 12:54 Unprotected left turn with oncoming vehicles *SUPPORT MY WORK* If you'd like to support the production of ...
LA Tourists Interfere with Driverless Taxi | #Waymo Ride Along #28
Переглядів 3 тис.5 місяців тому
A group of pedestrians gets too close for the Waymo autonomous vehicle's comfort. Use chapters to see everything! November 5, 2023. *HIGHLIGHTS* 5:48 Stuck in crosswalk due to blocked intersection 9:23 Nudging into adjacent lane for nearby pedestrian 10:31 Tourists admiring Waymo / disturbance detected *SUPPORT MY WORK* If you'd like to support the production of future videos, please check out ...
AI Driver Emergency Braking after Getting Cut Off | #Waymo Ride Along #27
Переглядів 2,2 тис.5 місяців тому
A Waymo driverless car gets cut off twice by human drivers in LA. Use chapters to see everything! November 5, 2023. *HIGHLIGHTS* 0:55 Gap shooting with pedestrian 3:01 Awkward trajectory through roundabout 5:28 Firm braking for oncoming right of way violator 14:13 Attempting lane change in intersection If you'd like to support the production of future videos, please check out these links. Thank...
Driverless Car Squeezes Past Pedestrians | #Waymo Ride Along #26
Переглядів 2,8 тис.5 місяців тому
Taking Waymo down narrow alleys in Santa Monica and Venice Beach again. Use chapters to see everything! November 5, 2023. HIGHLIGHTS: 6:21 Outdoor dining parklets drawn in HD map 9:19 Narrow lane with oncoming vehicles 11:30 Alley slalom with pedestrians on both sides 19:32 Indecisive, aborted turn into narrow alley 22:05 Yielding to late reveal pedestrian If you'd like to support the productio...
Waymo Driverless Car Gets Stranded, Rescued, & Manually Driven | #Waymo Ride Along #25
Переглядів 32 тис.6 місяців тому
[Use chapters to skip around!] A Waymo autonomous vehicle drives into a parking lot where the exit gate is closed. It gets stuck in a loop then requires a rescue from the roadside assistance team. November 6, 2023. HIGHLIGHTS: 1:17 USPS supervisor not impressed 4:31 Remote assistance attempt 1 8:14 Roadside assistance arrives; Waymo unlocks 10:22 Roadside assistance operator enters vehicle If y...
Humans Won’t Let AI Driver Change Lanes | #Waymo Ride Along #24
Переглядів 12 тис.6 місяців тому
Waymo autonomous vehicle encounters a series of narrow alleys and interactive traffic scenarios. Use chapters to make sure you see them all! November 6, 2023. HIGHLIGHTS / LOWLIGHTS: 1:13 Narrow alley with pedestrians and cyclist 7:58 Multi-point turn for dead end 13:49 Unprotected left turn with blocked intersection 15:37 Extremely tight turn hard brake for unknown reason 17:44 Highly conteste...
Waymo Recovers From Its Mistake | #Waymo Ride Along #23
Переглядів 1,8 тис.6 місяців тому
Second part of the rainy day ride including more interesting interactions with other agents and plenty of puddles. Use chapters to skip around or see the highlight timestamps below! January 31, 2024. HIGHLIGHTS / LOWLIGHTS: 0:16 Reversing to pull out 5:57 Puddle with spray 8:43 Lane change with pedestrian in street If you'd like to support the production of future videos, please check out these...
AI Driver Enters Intersection with Flashing Ambulance | #Waymo Ride Along #22
Переглядів 4,7 тис.6 місяців тому
AI Driver Enters Intersection with Flashing Ambulance | #Waymo Ride Along #22
Driverless Car Gets Stuck in Alley; Escapes Rescue Team | #Waymo Ride Along #21
Переглядів 42 тис.7 місяців тому
Driverless Car Gets Stuck in Alley; Escapes Rescue Team | #Waymo Ride Along #21
Found Driverless Waymo’s Hidden Key | #Waymo Ride Along #20
Переглядів 2,7 тис.7 місяців тому
Found Driverless Waymo’s Hidden Key | #Waymo Ride Along #20
Driverless Car Encounters Police & Pedestrians | Waymo Ride Along #19
Переглядів 7 тис.7 місяців тому
Driverless Car Encounters Police & Pedestrians | Waymo Ride Along #19
#Waymo LA Tour: Self-Driving Car on Display in Santa Monica
Переглядів 6517 місяців тому
#Waymo LA Tour: Self-Driving Car on Display in Santa Monica
Waymo Yielding to Kids in Weirdly Shaped Intersection | #Waymo Clip
Переглядів 2,5 тис.7 місяців тому
Waymo Yielding to Kids in Weirdly Shaped Intersection | #Waymo Clip
AI Driver Surprises Me with Assertive Lane Changes | #Waymo Clip
Переглядів 2,9 тис.7 місяців тому
AI Driver Surprises Me with Assertive Lane Changes | #Waymo Clip
AI Driver + Unprotected Turns in Los Angeles | Waymo Ride Along #18
Переглядів 13 тис.7 місяців тому
AI Driver Unprotected Turns in Los Angeles | Waymo Ride Along #18
Waymo Gets Impatient with Cyclist | Waymo Ride Along #17
Переглядів 3,2 тис.7 місяців тому
Waymo Gets Impatient with Cyclist | Waymo Ride Along #17
Robotaxi Yields to Delivery Robot | Waymo Ride Along #16
Переглядів 1,2 тис.8 місяців тому
Robotaxi Yields to Delivery Robot | Waymo Ride Along #16
Driverless Waymo Cuts Off Another Driverless Waymo
Переглядів 985 тис.8 місяців тому
Driverless Waymo Cuts Off Another Driverless Waymo
Watch This Driverless Vehicle Navigate Rush Hour in LA | Waymo Ride Along #15
Переглядів 2,1 тис.8 місяців тому
Watch This Driverless Vehicle Navigate Rush Hour in LA | Waymo Ride Along #15
Driverless Car Confused by Construction Zone | Waymo Ride Along #14
Переглядів 1,6 тис.8 місяців тому
Driverless Car Confused by Construction Zone | Waymo Ride Along #14
Can Waymo See through Fog? | Waymo Ride Along #13
Переглядів 1,5 тис.8 місяців тому
Can Waymo See through Fog? | Waymo Ride Along #13
Unbelievably Narrow Street | Waymo Ride Along #12
Переглядів 1,3 тис.9 місяців тому
Unbelievably Narrow Street | Waymo Ride Along #12
EVs are just hype.
Someday we may not even need to own a car. Just grab something like this each time if they are everywhere.
Yep. Really smart to let that broken shit out onto the streets.
ayo bro wut
Why can't they just make it able to be driven manually, remotely? They could drive off that parking lot and then engage the self-driving again. It would be so much safer and faster in a situation like this.
Using diesel to charge electric cars 😂😂😂😂
A.i be like: "f you" Other A.I be like: "ok"
Bound to happen; outer car has better visibility.
That's why some areas should stay away from technology 😂 because without helping they do dumb mistakes
I love this Agent Kevin. The logistics of it fascinates me.
The media needs to know about the diesel generators. Please submit a tip to the media.
What if they're using the generators to prevent overloading the grid at night when excess solar power isn't available? I get it sucks the cars aren't as environmentally friendly as they could be but it could make sense if they're fast charging at high voltages. Also a properly maintained industrial diesel generator probably isn't much worse then a natural gas or coal power plant.
I experienced this for the first time in SF, after doing it once I was hooked. Used Wamo 4 more times that trip! It is safer than a human, exciting while at the same time very relaxing. It made a lot of decisions like going around UPS trucks blocking the lane, nudging between tight spots and most importantly very aware of pedestrians, cyclists, dogs etc.
So the gate that IS open is an entrance only gate that the car won’t “violate”? And no one at the PO will temporarily open the closed gate to let the damn car out? Sounds like people demonstrating the weakness of human beings and why people should be removed from the driver seat.
Theoretically charging these EVs using a diesel generator just makes them a hybrid Still more efficient than a full ICE
I could be wrong but I doubt the energy transfer from diesel to electric to kinetic is more efficient than just a single transfer from diesel to drive. Reminds me of diesel electric locomotives. If this was the case and it was more efficient maybe we would have a diesel electric semi with small batteries?
@@bradnotbrad Ironically it does end being more efficient for this case. Waymos spend a lot of time either stopped or in slow moving traffic.
@@samtorbert6554 makes sense in a city scenario with a lot of idling
@@bradnotbrad yes that’s correct. I’m surprised we haven’t seen more hybrid EVs with range extenders in the last decade, or that we never saw any gas-electric car drivetrains in decades past
@@jojothetasmaniansassmonkey8866 I think it makes the whole system a lot more complicated, plug in hybrids are kinda like this
Nice neighbours to have next door
They’re just ICE vehicles once removed.
Maybe they are doing some kind of emergency operations test. Like after and earthquake when the grid is down. Explains the generators but not the lack of operations.
Interesting hypothesis. Google's annual "DiRT" exercise is intended to test and flex their disaster plans, and includes practical things like renting and using generator sets, or even buying real estate on short notice.
Hey kevin, just binge watched a bunch of your waymo videos. I've been a fan ever since my first ride back in december. I take it to all sporting events and concerts without fail. I like the fact that I don't have to talk to an Uber driver (no offense) or deal with unwanted music or strange scents in the vehicle (Although I must say recently I've gotten into a few waymo's that weren't as clean as they were several months ago). Quick question: I did not know about the stopovers…..What's the maximum time that you can be at a location? would it be good for a 90 minute swim at the YMCA? or is that pushing it? if you have time love to see your thoughts
@@wjboringiiicmp2097 30 minutes right now, it used to be 3 hours
great vedio ecspecially on the busy small road , amzing job ,thans Kevin !
So ? A large generator powering EVs is way more efficient then a small car gas engine
I don't think he was passing any moral judgement or anything
That’s just another reason EV’s are great. The fumes from burning fuel (generators) are in one location (to charge EV’s) not spooing hazardous emission fumes all over the city like ice vehicles do driving around the city. But people DONT get or understand that.
A lot of pollution in one place vs. a bit of pollution in many places. Sounds the same to me!
The wind
As long as one power source can power multiple cars it makes sense to have economies of scale in emissions output per mile of charge. I can imagine that small generators are much less efficient than our larger electric power plants though.
@@zunkman1 not if they filter the one generators exhaust. Then they only have to maintain one filter/muffler (generator) instead everyone with the ones on their cars.
@@zunkman1Total pollution is less
Yeah..use my Solar to fuel up 😂
Whining about temporary infrastructure is probably the dumbest possible thing that you could do.
Your name is bigd4real not sure which one is more dumb 😂
What whining
why is it temporary? Hasn't this depot been up and running for like a year + ?
What temporary?
Waymo needs to be in every state
Their garbage. Robo-taxis are the real deal. Waymo is just a party trick.
Hi! I cant wait for this new vechile! Is it leagel for a 12 year old to travel alone in a waymo?
Waymo terms and conditions does not allow this, but people do it anyway
That is a lot of Waymo's hanging around not earning. If RoboTaxis are the future part of the economics would be that autonomous vehicles can operate 24x7, a parking lot crammed with EVs would seem to suggest too many vehicles and too few rides. As for recharging using diesel generation that would also seem counter intuitive for a fleet of EVs, wouldn't solar panels and battery storage be more sustainable? Often there can be good justification for Waymo doing what they do, but they should be doing more to explain to the public their thinking and not leave it up to channels like this to expose and speculate.
I mean most probably there was a power outage or as you said they were using solar panels/clean electricity and ran out of it. Like you know, solar panels can charge up a battery to a certain point during the day, they don't provide unlimited power, so if there was a hike of cars needing recharge, they'd need to use diesel.
Pretty Impressive to be able to refuel all those cars with the generators. I would be curious if they are powering the entire facility or just some of it and how many vehicles can charge at the same time. I wonder if they have logistics in the chargers to stagger charging when they run on backup power like that?
Gonna echo the prior sentiment, great investigation here! Getting a peek into the operational shenanigans like this is so cool, thank you for the coverage
You are correct regarding the cables being run over - it is horrible!! The SO cables are now junk, and they are huge $. I don't know the specs on the chargers, but this is common theme with DC fast chargers in that the electrical service is not large enough to power them. How this is being allowed is the real question. There should be a paper trail via an electrical permit (public info) but looking at this, I doubt that has occurred. This is a safety nightmare and Wizard of Oz-like!!!
Great investigation! Really wonder what the ??? car under the tarp was 🧐
Cars were heavily damaged - at least the one under the white tarp is.
That destination was FAR
Feels way weirder than an uber for some reason, so silent
It should be noted that Waymo chooses a route best suited to the car, not the most direct route. A recent trip I took from Hyde and Geary to 1 Market at the foot of Market, that should have turned left a block south on O’Farrell to reach Market at Stockton (or…) instead went Left on O’F, then left again a block east to go up Leavenworth to Clay, and down Clay through Chinatown. Then a loop for a block to Mission and back to deliver us at 1 Market st. Still it’s the most serene driving experience and the best advertisement for full automation and getting inferior and incompetent humans out of the drivers seat.
Dangerous. No accountability. Whoever thinks this is cool or neat is a low iq individual. Accidents waiting to happen.
I have my clipper card, I use traditional transit, BART and the Muni. Best connection to SFO and Millbrae, whenever I’m there.
doesn't make sense that they got it two different lanes to both turn right
How many braincells do it takes to get hired at US Postal Service??? He can clearly see that there is no one in the driver seat and his talking to a guy sitting in the backseat. What did he expect a passenger to do with the confused car??? "It's very dangerous for you and them" Oh so the postal drivers drives more badly than a Waymo?? Why do the road site assistent need a phone for map guidance? Why not just use the screen in the car??? It's madness!
waymo is trash lmao
Waymo drive into the ocean 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
The Karan honker lol behind
Wow, Jaguars have the most annoying turn signal sound ever.
At first, I thought that was in China. But then I saw the graffitis on the walls.
I wonder ..if the car committed a traffic violation how the police proceeds …hahaha that’s may be a blast 😂😂😂😂
Do they have a 1984 Pontiac Firebird?
The USPS guy could have just opened the exit gate. That was the entire problem. The exit gate was closed, and the Waymo car wasn’t going to leave through a gate clearly marked “no exit”. It was looping around and the navigation was going insane trying to find a usable exit gate but there was none to be found. I’m not going to blame Waymo for this.
i wouldn't blame waymo, but at the same time, it should have some kind of override if its stuck for too long where it'll go through an exit or something
It seems you need a lot of patience when using Waymo...
How is this service even profitable given all the infrastructure?
Dude goes filming Google from the top. I find that very ironic. Spying on the spy.
Oh poor little thing, look how confused it gets 😂
Does slow driving really cause you physical discomfort?