After years of constant testing, Waymo robotaxis are revolutionizing transportation by implementing self-driving cars onto U.S. roads. Waymo offers its users comfort and luxury while enjoying a smooth ride to their destination. Cruising along the streets of Los Angeles is the white Jaguar I-Pace that is equipped with 29 sensors. Waymo enters the ride-share market with Uber and Lyft with a unique feature that is ready for the future.
The sensors used consist of cameras, lidar, and radar, which allows the Waymo to visualize the world in milliseconds. Accessibility to these self-driving cars is available 24/7, and each vehicle is fully electric, providing cleaner transportation.
Users must download the Waymo One app to request a ride, just like Uber and Lyft, but without the driver. Upon its arrival, the User is provided access to the car on the app, which allows them to unlock the vehicle, and a total of four people can board. A user is then greeted by an audio recording that explains the rules and regulations of the car.
Waymo is really big on safety and ensures that all passengers have their seatbelts fastened. Once the seat belts are on, the trip begins, and users are given an estimated arrival time to their destination. Users are ensured comfort as they are able to adjust the temperature and jam out to their own music in the car.
For Jonathan Martinez, a communication studies major, Waymo serves as a cheaper and more relaxing alternative to Uber and Lyft.
“Whenever I have a long, tired day at work, you really don’t have to speak with anybody in the car,” said Martinez. “You can play your own music and control the temperature to your comfort, which is pretty cool.”
On Waymo, passengers don’t have to worry about tipping their drivers, while Uber and Lyft embrace the tipping of drivers. Passengers who ride on Uber or Lyft have to pay hefty prices for rides in Los Angeles. During the morning and afternoon rush hour, prices increase, making tipping on the app difficult. Waymo eliminates driver tipping and ensures their passengers get to their destination safely.
While some passengers feel Waymo serves as a better alternative, others have some doubts about the technologies built into this car. The feeling of not having a human driver in the front seat is a concerning issue for users like kinesiology major Elizabeth Meija.
“It’s cool to see the Waymo cars in action, but I’m scared that car is going to malfunction in the middle of the road, which may lead to a collision. I’m just going to stick with Uber,” said Meija.
Waymo’s journey began with the Google self-driving car project in 2009. This project aimed to test out 10 autonomous 100-mile runs in a Toyota Prius without any interruptions. Testing was successful as the cars would exceed the required number of uninterrupted miles.
In 2015, the first fully autonomous car was riding down the roads of Austin, Texas. The car was equipped with sensors and computers needed to power the vehicle. It wasn’t until 2017 that Waymo began its Early Rider program in the Phoenix, Ariz. metro area. The feedback generated by the program allowed the company to make improvements to its software.
Eventually, Waymo would begin its first autonomous ride-hailing services, an deventually branched out to cities like San Francisco in 2022 and Los Angeles in 2023. That same year, Waymo would become the first fleet to incorporate all-electrics.
Waymo cars attract a lot of spectators as they are amazed at the capabilities these cars have. Some people have doubts about Waymo’s capabilities, as videos have surfaced of Waymo cars trapping passengers due to technical difficulties. In a CNN report, a Waymo passenger nearly missed his flight because his car was having routing issues and went in circles in a parking lot.
Waymo was able to help resolve the issue, and the passenger was able to reach his destination.
On its website, Waymo says that safety is the company’s top priority by aiming to reduce traffic injuries and fatalities in their areas of operations. Waymo has come a long way from its early stages of testing in 2009 to looking to expand in cities like Miami and Atlanta. The sensors on top collect all the data to ensure the car is safe and comfortable.
While the Waymo is revolutionizing the embodiment of a fully autonomous experience, it is limited. Currently, Waymo is only available in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. Cal State LA students are out of luck as Waymo is limited in its coverage map in L.A. and is only available from Union Station to Santa Monica. If students want to gain access to Waymo, head over to the Downtown L.A. campus and enjoy the ride.
