Waymo is offering to help cities fix their potholes
Waymo is leveraging its autonomous vehicle sensor data to share pothole detection information with select cities through a pilot program, transforming mobility infrastructure into a city services asset that strengthens public-private relationships. This strategic move positions Waymo as a collaborative technology partner addressing municipal infrastructure challenges while simultaneously building political goodwill in cities skeptical of autonomous vehicle deployment. For IT organizations, this demonstrates how sensor data monetization and cross-industry partnerships can create new business value while mitigating regulatory and public relations risks.
The Verge2 min read
In recent months, some cities have sought a new recruit in their forever war against potholes: Waymo. Municipal officials in multiple cities where Waymo operates have reached out to the robotaxi operator for help in locating potholes on their streets, assuming that Waymo kept such data. Fortunately for them, Waymo does, and it has recently decided to launch a pilot program, along with Google's Waze, to share its pothole data with city officials. The mission is to make city streets safer to drive, which is desirable for both human and robot drivers. And it could help Waymo's broader effort to build positive relationships with cities, espec … Read the full story at The Verge.