Waymo warns camera-only systems fall short as Tesla preps Cybercab launch

Waymo VP of Onboard Software Srikanth Thirumalai published a blog post on Wednesday arguing that cameras alone are insufficient for fully autonomous driving. The post, titled '10 AI Lessons from Driving 200+ Million Fully Autonomous Miles,' does not name Tesla or Elon Musk directly but is widely seen as a critique of Tesla's camera-reliant approach. Thirumalai stated that while cameras are powerful sensors, they cannot on their own solve the challenges of full autonomy. The remarks come as Tesla prepares to officially launch its Cybercab, a robotaxi designed without a steering wheel or pedals. The timing highlights a deepening philosophical divide between the two companies over the right sensor strategy for self-driving vehicles.