Google X
The Pacifica took Waymo from research project to real product. It was the first fully self-driving fleet to pick up actual customers anywhere in the world. I was the lead industrial designer responsible for the entire vehicle.
I owned every customer-facing surface, every part a passenger or pedestrian would see or touch. I also led Waymo's physical branding as the company emerged from Google X, writing the visual vocabulary from a blank page.
The hardest problem wasn't technical. It was emotional. For most people this would be their first encounter with a self-driving car. Every design decision served one goal: make an intimidating new technology feel approachable. Competent and calm, not aggressive or futuristic. Trustworthy, not showy. This car knows what it's doing, and you're going to be okay.
First Fully Self-Driving Fleet on Public Roads
The Pacifica launched Waymo's commercial service in Phoenix, putting autonomous vehicles in front of real customers for the first time. I owned the design development of the whole vehicle including exterior sensor housing integration, color material finish, branding, and interior control console.
Designed for Low Volume
I designed the hardware for extremely low-cost tooling and rapid scaling on a low-volume production run so Waymo could get fleets on the road fast, collecting the real-world data needed to make the system smarter. I worked directly with Chrysler engineering and tier-one suppliers from concept through production.
Exterior Windshield Display
To me, this is one of the most critical design elements on the entire vehicle. This is the portal through which passengers interact with and identify their ride. It's how a person standing on a curb at night confirms they've got the right car. And it's the primary means by which Waymo communicates with the outside world — pedestrians, other drivers, and riders approaching their vehicle. It is, in a very real sense, the face of the brand.
I saw this as an opportunity to create a distinctly Waymo brand moment, guided by our core design principles: simple, honest, approachable, and delightful. I designed multiple three-dimensional and illuminated logo concepts, built physical samples, and reviewed them with marketing, design, and UX.
