汽车商业评论·2025-07-01 23:03Core Viewpoint - Ford's CEO Jim Farley publicly supports Waymo's lidar-based autonomous driving technology, contrasting it with Tesla's camera-based approach, highlighting the importance of lidar for safety in autonomous systems [2][4][18]. Summary by Sections Autonomous Driving Technology Comparison - Waymo's sixth-generation autonomous driving system includes 13 cameras, 4 lidars, 6 millimeter-wave radars, and multiple external audio receivers, creating a comprehensive sensory system. In contrast, Tesla relies on 8 cameras for 360-degree coverage [3]. - The industry debate centers on two core technological paths: Tesla's camera and AI-based perception versus Waymo's multi-sensor approach, which includes lidar for enhanced environmental recognition [5]. Cost and Economic Considerations - Elon Musk argues that Tesla's pure vision approach is more cost-effective, estimating that Tesla vehicles cost only 20% to 25% of Waymo's due to lower production volumes and expensive high-end sensors used by Waymo [7]. - Waymo's autonomous vehicles, typically modified from Chrysler Pacifica, have advanced sensor suites with lidar costs reaching tens of thousands of dollars, while Tesla's upcoming Model Y with FSD is priced between $40,000 and $60,000 depending on configurations [7]. Competitive Landscape - Tesla has begun piloting its autonomous ride-hailing service, while Waymo is integrating its technology into consumer vehicles through partnerships with Toyota and Hyundai [9]. - Waymo operates over 1,500 autonomous vehicles in cities like San Francisco and plans to expand to 2,000 vehicles by next year [16]. Ford's Strategic Direction - Ford has abandoned plans for developing its own Level 4 fully autonomous driving system, opting instead to collaborate with existing autonomous driving companies [18]. - The company is focusing on its BlueCruise system, which allows drivers to temporarily disengage from driving under certain conditions, and may integrate lidar in future models to enhance safety [19]. Industry Trends - Farley's statements reflect a broader industry trend of balancing safety and cost, with different companies making varying trade-offs as technology and policies evolve [20].