First Waymo

Jan 25, 2025,22:57 PM
 

Yesterday I finally had the privilege of experiencing a self-driving cab for the first time in my life biggrin. It was a surprisingly smooth and safe three mile long ride, and the only instance where the vehicle behaved in an egregiously cautious manner was when it came to a complete stop due to a female runner using the bicycle lane for running, without any other vehicles or obstacles impeding the progress of the Waymo car, including the runner herself.... Anyhow, I'll be using the service multiple times a week for at least a full month, thus I will follow up with a more thorough review of this robo-taxi service from Google in early March. Thanks for looking, cheers, Filip






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Very impressive technology

 
By: Aquaracer1 : January 25th, 2025-23:22
But wouldn’t want to be hacked while I’m a passenger in that vehicle 😳

I have a question filip

 
By: sschew : January 25th, 2025-23:33
According to news a Waymo near Beverley Ctr was vandalized. UMMM you didn't have to trash the car to escape the car did you?

Wow! 🤪

 
By: InHavenPro : January 25th, 2025-23:51
Mercifully not, I hadn't even read of the incident in question. The vehicle does remain locked over the duration of the ride, you unlock it by pulling the door handle twice once it stops at the destination....

I have been very curious about these rides, so thank you for this initial impression. What’s the value proposition to riders…is it cheaper than taxi or Uber?

 
By: ArmisT : January 26th, 2025-02:02
I still don’t understand why the jogger that was not in its line of travel would make it stop🤔. I realize the bicycle lane runs alongside the car lanes. Was the jogger jogging in same direction as Waymo, or did she eventually jog off to the side somewhere... 

The value, I think, is entirely in line....

 
By: InHavenPro : January 26th, 2025-02:24
with what one might expect. I deliberately checked both Waymo and Lyft pricing for the same 3 mile ride, and Waymo was $1-2 cheaper than Lyft ($14 vs $15-16). It's obviously an advantage to Google that they're not paying any drivers, despite the tremendou... 

I am inclined to think that....

 
By: InHavenPro : January 26th, 2025-02:28
Google simply got a good fleet deal from them, and that the vehicles are simply compatible with the software and hardware required to convert them into Waymo vehicles. FYI, they don't use Jaguar cars exclusively, there's at least one more manufacturer in ... 

I recall now that I've seen Hyundais, and I'll keep an eye out for more....

 
By: InHavenPro : January 26th, 2025-02:45
I'll take a decent number of rides in February as I've sold my F-150 and am deliberately waiting for my tax return in order to get another inexpensive daily commuter vehicle....

Yes!

 
By: InHavenPro : January 26th, 2025-04:10
You have audio controls on the application itself, and can easily play music from your phone on the vehicle sound system (the default playlist is entirely instrumental which I love!), as well as physical A/C in the back....

It sure is! And I'd imagine....

 
By: InHavenPro : January 26th, 2025-18:42
They'd be more than happy to scale up and provide the service in EU countries, it's probably all about overcoming a myriad of local regulations....

I wouldn't be able to resist grabbing that steering wheel :-)

 
By: bimbeano : January 26th, 2025-19:01
The car is ugly for sure but if it works that way, why not ? I am pretty sure it wouldn't work for a single minute where I live LOL.