Exploring the World of AI and Self Driving Cars
Recently, SVUDL students had an incredible opportunity to step into the future of transportation during a special visit to Google’s campus. Director of Programming Kwodwo Moore and Program Specialist Mariam Ahmed accompanied the group to Waymo HQ, where they were welcomed by longtime SVUDL volunteer (and former debater) Annie Matheu for a tech talk and behind-the-scenes look at the company pioneering autonomous driving.
The professional access event, one of several that SVUDL coordinates each year in partnership with its Advisory Committee members and other SVUDL supporters, began with Annie’s warm welcome; she then toured the group through Waymo’s offices and facilitated a hands-on experience with their autonomous vehicles. Students were thrilled to pose for pictures and sit inside the self-driving Jaguar I-PACE and Firefly vehicles. This experience sparked curious and thoughtful questions about the models, self-driving functionality, and the broader future of transportation.
After the tour, the group watched a self-driving Waymo drive up to campus (with no other humans in the car) and then grabbed some coffee, snacks and ice cream to keep the energy high. Annie then led an engaging and informative presentation about the history of Waymo, how the company’s self-driving technology works, and its path in technological innovation. Through this presentation, students gained a deeper understanding of the engineering and social nuances of autonomous technology.
After a break for lunch, students engaged in more Q&A, asking insightful questions about laser-technology, the practical challenges of implementing autonomous driving, and career pathways within the tech industry.
When students reflected on their experiences and shared experiences of the visit, Hannah (Silver Creek High School) shared that her favorite part of the visit was “all the cool food and features in the office, and seeing the Waymo car in action in the videos. Now I’m super interested in riding in an actual Waymo car!” Another student, Lily (Silver Creek High School), remarked, “I liked getting to try all the delicious food that Waymo had to offer. The presentation was also really interesting, and I enjoyed the slides that showed the evolution of Waymo’s vehicles.”
The visit offered students an inspiring look into the future of mobility and innovation. A huge thanks to Annie Matheu for leading such a thoughtful and informative experience, and making the visit possible.
