How Self-Driving Cars Can Get Past the Learning Permit Stage, Without Any Risk
Applied Intuition, a Marc Andreessen-backed startup, is selling driving simulators that might be able to help self-driving rivals catch up to Waymo.
This Applied Intuition simulation shows an autonomous vehicle interacting with cars, bicycles, motorcycles and pedestrians.
Image: Applied IntuitionSelf-driving cars have made virtually every mistake imaginable inside the office of Applied Intuition. One braked hard to miss a pup that had run into the street, another barely avoided a truck with a blown tire barreling down the freeway. And the second-floor office in Sunnyvale, California, where none of the employees wear shoes, isn’t big enough to execute a three-point turn.
Peter Ludwig, a co-founder, showed off his startup’s product, something he believes dozens of automakers and tech startups trying to perfect autonomous driving will need. An image of a self-driving car appeared on his screen, taking a left turn at an intersection. A stick figure flashed in front—a sudden jaywalker—forcing the car to slam on its brakes.