At Waymo, we use machine learning to detect and classify different types of objects and road features. The powerful neural nets that make up our perception system learn to recognize objects and their corresponding behaviors from labeled examples of everything our Waymo Driver encounters, from joggers and cyclists, to traffic light colors and temporary road signs, or even trees and shrubs. Over the past decade we have built up an enormous collection of objects captured by our powerful custom-designed hardware.

We’ve built the Waymo Driver so that it can be deployed across a variety of vehicle platforms, as well as business applications that encompass not only transporting people, but also transporting goods. At Waymo, our mission is to make it safe and easy for people and things to get where they’re going so it’s important that we focus on creating a safer driving experience for all types of vehicles, including those that deliver goods to our homes and businesses each day. The Waymo Driver can power a range of use cases from ride-hailing to trucking and logistics, to delivery, to public transportation and even personal cars (down the road!).

Throughout my education, I interned at software companies of varying sizes -- from large, and well-established to small startups; then in 2017, I joined Waymo as part of its first intern class. In many ways, Waymo was the best of both worlds. I found the same energy, enthusiasm, and drive of a start-up, coupled with the stability and resources of a well-established company.

Editor’s note: This semester, Waymo partnered with ArtCenter in Pasadena, California for a Sponsored Project. While ArtCenter’s Sponsored Projects have evolved over the nearly 90-year history of the college’s corporate engagement, the intention and promise remain the same: high-quality, professional experiences that bring current industry challenges and opportunities into the classroom and provide students the context for imagining future solutions. Here to share more about their experience are Joseph, a 7th term Transportation Design student, and Nancy, a 7th term Product Design student.

One year ago, Waymo became the first and only company in the world to launch a public self-driving ride-hailing service. We now have thousands of people using it in their everyday lives across the Metro Phoenix area and have enjoyed seeing how they rely on the Waymo Driver to get them where they need to be, whether that’s work, the grocery store, or a fun night out.

Today is Veterans Day in the U.S., a day to recognize those who have served in the U.S. armed forces. At Waymo, we’re proud to have veterans from all of our armed services as members of our team. Each veteran brings a wealth of experience. In particular, during their time in the military, our veterans collaborate with diverse teams to accomplish missions. Collaboration, mission, and respect are also central to Waymo’s culture, and how we operate as a company.