the next step has already been announced. the holdup is regulatory approval for less-conventional vehicles.

https://insideevs.com/photos/802937/waymo-zeekr-robotaxi/#69...

Yeah I know about Geely and under current circumstances I categorize this as "never gonna happen". There's probably better chance of partnering with GM at this point...

Why would they even entertain the idea of even talking to a Chinese OEM. This is obviously very important technology and Google must know the Chinese history of IP theft. They are not in the Chinese market because of this!

Zeeker must have given them such an unbelievable deal that Google couldn't pass it up. Either that or the other OEMs have really soured on them. I always thought the idea of OEMs being reduced to generic white label badges while companies like Waymo make all the profit on the future of "on demand" transportation is not appealing to them. Companies like GM tried to cut Waymo out by buying Cruise but it hasn't worked out. I guess if the stock price of one of these OEMs falls enough, maybe Waymo can just buy them out but do they really want to take on that obligation?

i don't beleive that waymo is letting zeekr have any IP - the plan is to buy dumb vehicles and upfit them.

Is any of the hardware on a Waymo vehicle proprietary to Waymo? I had sort of assumed they used off the shelf LIDAR and sensors from other manufacturers, and that their secret sauce was entirely in the software. If that's the case, I don't think there would be any risk of IP loss.

Waymo designed their lidars for sure (Velodynes before that). Cruise still relied heavily on Velodyne at least in my time there