Waymo запускает ИИ-помощника Gemini для улучшения обслуживания в роботакси Translation: Waymo launches AI assistant Gemini to enhance service in robotaxis

Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, is currently trialing Google’s AI chatbot Gemini in its self-driving robotaxis. This virtual assistant will accompany passengers and respond to their inquiries, according to researcher Jane Manchun Wong.

«While examining the source code of the mobile application, I uncovered a system prompt for the yet-to-be-released Gemini integration,» Wong noted in her blog.

The document discovered, termed Waymo Ride Assistant Meta-Prompt, consists of over 1,200 lines detailing the expected behavior of the AI assistant within the vehicle.

This feature is not included in any public versions at present; however, Wong asserts that it «clearly indicates something more advanced than just a simple chatbot.»

The assistant is designed to answer questions, manage interior functions like climate control, and help soothe passengers.

“We cannot disclose specific details. Our team is continuously refining features to ensure that rides with Waymo are enjoyable, seamless, and beneficial. Some of these enhancements may be implemented in our system while others may not,” commented Waymo spokesperson Yulia Ilina in an interview.

Previously, Alphabet has integrated Gemini into its technology stack. Waymo has utilized «world knowledge» from its large language model (LLM) to train autonomous vehicles to navigate complex and high-risk scenarios.

Wong emphasized that the assistant should possess a clear identity and goal: “a friendly and helpful AI companion whose mission is to enhance the passenger experience by providing useful information and assistance in a safe, calming, and unobtrusive manner.”

Among the car functions currently inaccessible to Gemini are music volume adjustment, seat modifications, route changes, and window controls.

The prompts outline responses regarding competitors such as Tesla and conditions for ending conversations. The bot is instructed to avoid speculation about the driver’s actions or incidents occurring during the ride.

The assistant is capable of addressing general inquiries such as the weather, the height of the Eiffel Tower, or the closing time of a local store. It is prohibited from executing tasks like ordering food or making reservations.

Waymo stands as a prominent player in the self-driving robotaxi industry. The company has been developing this segment since 2020, though not without complications.

On the evening of December 20, 2025, the firm paused its robotaxi operations in San Francisco due to a widespread power outage that left autonomous vehicles stranded in the city streets.

Users shared photos and videos of the traffic incidents, showing clusters of cars with their hazard lights blinking, obstructing regular traffic flow.

“The power outage was a widespread event that caused a transportation collapse throughout San Francisco. Traffic lights were non-functional, and public transport services experienced interruptions. We are working to adapt our technology to flow during such occurrences,” commented a Waymo representative.

The company asserted that the autopilot is capable of navigating intersections even with traffic lights turned off. However, the scale of the Saturday disruption resulted in prolonged downtime for the robotaxis, as the vehicles required substantially more time to analyze the traffic situation.

On December 21, Waymo resumed service. However, three days after the incident, the firm suspended service again, citing a need for updates «to respond to future power outages.»

“We have consistently focused on developing Waymo Driver for real-world conditions, including preparing for infrastructure failures,” the blog stated.

In December, Tesla launched its driverless taxis without a monitoring driver, though they have yet to transport passengers.