Breaking down the estimated cost of a Waymo autonomous car (approximately $250,000), the majority of the expense comes from its sensors, computing power, and custom modifications. Here's a rough breakdown based on available data and common pricing for autonomous vehicle components:
-
LiDAR Sensors: Waymo's 6th-gen cars use 4 LiDAR sensors. Depending on the type (solid-state or mechanical), these could cost between $1,000 and $75,000 per unit. Assuming mid-range solid-state LiDAR sensors, the total cost for all 4 could range from $4,000 to $20,000.
-
Cameras: Waymo’s 6th-gen system has 13 cameras. Automotive-grade cameras typically range from $100 to $500 per unit. The total cost for cameras would likely be $1,300 to $6,500.
-
Radar Sensors: There are 6 radar sensors on each vehicle. High-quality automotive radar sensors range from $100 to $1,000 each. For 6 units, the total would range between $600 and $6,000.
-
Computing Systems: The onboard computing system handling AI and sensor data processing is a significant expense. A high-performance computer system for autonomous vehicles, including GPUs or specialized chips, could cost around $10,000 to $20,000.
-
Vehicle Platform: The base vehicle (like the Jaguar I-Pace or Zeekr EV) itself costs about $70,000 to $100,000, depending on the model.
-
Development and Integration: Beyond hardware, much of the cost includes software development, sensor integration, testing, and custom modifications to the vehicle platform. These development costs, along with maintenance and operational costs, account for a significant portion of the overall price, estimated to be around $50,000 to $100,000.
Estimated Breakdown:
- LiDAR Sensors: $4,000 to $20,000
- Cameras: $1,300 to $6,500
- Radar Sensors: $600 to $6,000
- Computing Systems: $10,000 to $20,000
- Vehicle Base: $70,000 to $100,000
- Development and Integration: $50,000 to $100,000
This results in a total cost ranging from $136,900 to $252,500 depending on the specific components used
