Waymo finds a way around US restrictions on Chinese cars
The US Commerce Department argues that the rules were first proposed in September and are necessary to protect American cars from foreign interference and adversaries. Gina Raimondo, the US Commerce Department’s secretary of commerce, said in 2013 that it would be a nightmare if thousands or even hundreds of thousands Chinese-connected cars were on American roads and could be disabled instantly by someone from Beijing. The first ban on Chinese and Russian software is set to begin in 2027. Hardware restrictions will follow in 2029. On paper, this might seem like a disaster. Waymo’s self driving tech developer Alphabet announced in 2021 the automaker Zeekr, which is majority owned by Chinese automotive giant Geely, would build its next-generation robotaxis. Only “authorized personnel” install Waymo’s self-driving technology into the cars after they’re delivered to the United States.
The Commerce Department didn’t respond to WIRED’s questions about Waymo’s Zeekr partnership.Today, Waymo operates its self-driving ride-hail service using modified Jaguar I-Pace electric vehicles in metro Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. Atlanta and Austin will join the ride-hailing service later this summer.
