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Waymo (formerly known as Google’s Self Driving Car Project) has hit the streets in San Francisco. While I was there for a work dinner last night, I decided to skip my usual Uber and give one of these driverless vehicles the chance to take me back to my hotel.
You order a ride with Waymo the same way that you would with Lyft or Uber. Download the app, set up your account, and then request a ride.
When the vehicle arrived, it parked across the street from me. I walked over and used the app to unlock the doors. When I got in the vehicle welcomed me, told me to buckle up, and gave me instructions on how to start the ride. Waymo operates a fleet of self-driving Jaguar I-PACE cars. The interior was roomy and I loved the big touchscreen in the back.
I often want to work or just play with my phone when riding in an Uber, but inevitably I end up with chatty drivers or those who are making their own phone calls, watching videos, texting, etc. None of that was a concern with Waymo. The vehicle observed speed limits, stopped properly at stop signs and traffic signals, and was alert to other vehicles, pedestrians, and more.
The touchscreen allowed me to view a route map, control the music, adjust the temperature, or call for support if needed. There were also two USB-C ports here.
It takes a moment to get used to not having a driver in the front seat. The novelty stayed with me for the ride and I found it cool that the steering wheel was moving on its own.
Like Uber and Lyft, you can track your ride through the app as you go. I paid $23.55 for this ride and that was the same price as an Uber.
Anthony’s Take: I loved my Waymo ride and hope that it expands well beyond San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix where it is currently available. It’s coming to Atlanta, Austin, and Miami soon. Come on, Chicago or Tampa! Several people I told that I was taking the ride told me they were scared. I did not feel uncomfortable at all and loved not having to make smalltalk.
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Advertiser & Editorial Disclosure: The Bulkhead Seat earns an affiliate commission for anyone approved through the links above This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. We work to provide the best publicly available offers to our readers. We frequently update them, but this site does not include all available offers. Opinions, reviews, analyses & recommendations are the author’s alone, and have not been reviewed, endorsed, or approved by any of these entities.
1 comment
I think the concept is lovely. I haven’t had an opportunity to try it yet myself. The one thing I would badly want would be some emergency stop button and the ability to exit the vehicle in a hurry in case of some emergency where you have to get out NOW.