Driverless-taxi company Waymo is mapping Cincinnati streets

WCPO turned to an expert on autonomous vehicles at the University of Cincinnati to discuss how the technology is improving as driverless taxi company Waymo sets its sights on Ohio.

According to WCPO, the company is creating detailed road maps of Cincinnati for use by its driverless fleet as it expands its operations to additional states. Waymo currently operates in about a dozen major cities in at least six states from California to Texas to Florida.

UC College of Engineering and Applied Science Professor Munir Nazzal told WCPO he sees the benefits of driverless services joining the city's transportation options.

“We will see a lot of advantage in terms of reduction of cost and also in terms of mobility and improving mobility on our roads," Nazzal said.

Nazzal studies autonomous services, including driverless vehicles. Nazzal said driverless technology is steadily improving.

He recently worked with the Ohio Department of Transportation and Honda Motor Co. to demonstrate proof of concept showing how autonomous cars can use their powerful suite of sensors to identify and issue a warning about dangerous road conditions such as potholes, damaged guardrails, missing lane markers and other deficiencies.

Featured image at top: UC Professor Munir Nazzal spoke to WCPO about the safety of driverless vehicles as Waymo sets its sights on Cincinnati. Photo/Connor Boyle/UC Marketing + Brand