Waymo Acquires U.K.-Based AI Firm That Simulates Human Behavior

Waymo, the self-driving car unit of Alphabet Inc., is acquiring Latent Logic, a U.K.-based machine learning company that develops simulations of the behavior of motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.

Latent, which was spun off from Oxford University’s computer science department, uses what’s known as imitation learning to replicate behaviors that will help Waymo’s autonomous vehicles interact more safely with human beings, the companies said in a statement Thursday.

As part of the deal, Latent co-founders Shimon Whiteson and João Messias will join Waymo along with Chief Executive Officer Kirsty Lloyd-Jukes and a team of technicians and engineers that will remain ...