Waymo LLC is collaborating with DeepMind Technologies for enhancing the functionality of Self-Driving Cars

United States: Alphabet-owned Waymo and a UK-based computer programs company DeepMind are teaming up to develop an efficient technique to train self-driving car to detect pedestrians, bicyclists, and motorcycles by a method known as “Population-Based Training” (PBT). This approach in PBT starts with multiple machine learning models initiated with random variables (hyperparameters). The Waymo self-driving cars will use the best neural networks and other methods for detecting objects and predicting how others will behave to plan next movements of autonomous vehicles.

Senior Software Engineer of Waymo stated, “Waymo, in a research collaboration with DeepMind, has taken inspiration from Darwin's insights into evolution to make this training more effective and efficient. To make this process more efficient, researchers at DeepMind devised a way to automatically determine good hyperparameter schedules based on evolutionary competition (called 'Population-Based Training' or PBT), which combines the advantages of hand-tuning and random search”, he added.

According to TechSci Research, this partnership would allow Waymo LLC to develop new vehicles with self-driving systems with the help of artificial intelligence to address the changing requirements in the automotive sectors. The move would also enable both the companies to leverage their expertise and to strengthen their position in the automotive market. Supportive policy framework from various governments for developing driverless vehicles and focus of automakers on enhancing safety features in vehicles are promoting the growth of the global autonomous car technology market through 2024.

According to the published report by TechSci Research, “Global Autonomous Car Technology Market Forecast and Opportunities, 2035 – ADAS, Semi-Autonomous, Fully-Autonomous”, global autonomous car technology market is expected to witness a CAGR of over 10% until 2035. The market is currently dominated by ADAS segment, which is expected to maintain its dominance over the decade as well. The dominance of this segment can be attributed to anticipated increase in government regulations pertaining to integration of ADAS technologies in passenger cars. Further, semi-autonomous car technology is expected to witness robust growth over the next ten years, owing to anticipated decline in its average selling price coupled with rising volume sales. Region-wise, North America has emerged as the largest contributor for autonomous car technology market, followed by Europe, Asia-Pacific (APAC) and Middle East North Africa (MENA)

According to a report published by TechSci Research, “Europe Semi & Fully Autonomous Vehicle Market By Automation Level (L0, L1, L2, L3 & L4/L5), By Component (Embedded System, Camera, Etc), By Vehicle Type (Passenger Car & Commercial Vehicle), By Country, Competition Forecast & Opportunities, 2016-2030”, Europe semi & fully autonomous vehicle market stood at $ 1.1 billion in 2016 and is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 21% to reach $ 16 billion by 2030. Additionally, growing interests of technology giants such as Google, Intel, etc., is encouraging companies worldwide to focus on the concept of autonomous vehicles. Furthermore, increasing research & development in self-driving concept is anticipated to fuel growth in the market in the coming years.