Sometimes referred to as the industry leader, much has been said about Waymo’s autonomous driving capabilities compared to Tesla’s Full Self-Driving (FSD) beta.
Waymo currently operates its driverless taxi’s in a limited area in Arizona. Tesla’s FSD beta can travel on any road, but it is limited to only about 1,000 testers, making comparisons difficult.
That’s where FSD beta tester @WholeMarsBlog comes in, who ventured to Arizona to compare the two self-driving vehicles.
Two tests were conducted, both with interesting results.
Drive to Taco Bell
The first was to a Taco Bell. Both cars were able to get to their destination with zero disengagements, but Waymo dropped @WholeMarsBlog on the wrong side of the street.
When we asked Waymo to take us to Taco Bell, it dropped us off on the other side of the street.
Tesla’s FSD also got us there with zero disengagements, but ended up at the actual destination.
Maybe the Waymo needs more laser beams? @elonmusk pic.twitter.com/OqboE5i5DJ
— Whole Mars Catalog (@WholeMarsBlog) March 3, 2021
Drive to Safeway
The second test was a trip to Safeway. Both cars again made it to the destination with no disengagements, but the Waymo minivan took a very different route (less difficult) which made the trip nearly 3 minutes longer than in the Tesla.
We asked Alphabet’s Waymo and Tesla’s Autopilot FSD Beta to do the exact same route — a trip to the grocery store (Safeway). @elonmusk @karpathy
Both got there with zero disengagements.
Waymo Total Trip Time — 8 minutes
Autopilot Total Trip Time — 5 minutes & 12 seconds pic.twitter.com/UE8YEq3w9w— Whole Mars Catalog (@WholeMarsBlog) March 3, 2021
While the Waymo minivan was able to get to both destinations, its map-based limitations were evident when attempting to find one.
trying do do an FSD waymo same route comparison, but there are so many places waymo won’t go!
hard to find something… pic.twitter.com/b5VN79hUO6
— Whole Mars Catalog (@WholeMarsBlog) March 3, 2021
It also came up with some very interesting routes based on its inability to perform standard driving maneuvers like a left turn.
seems like an efficient route pic.twitter.com/RbVAyPmnBs
— Whole Mars Catalog (@WholeMarsBlog) March 3, 2021
You can watch the full real-time video below comparing the two self-driving systems on their drive to Safeway.
