Waymo Launches Robotaxi Service in San Francisco | Autonomous Vehicles

Waymo Launches Robotaxi Service in San Francisco

Waymo, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Alphabet, has initiated a robotaxi service accessible to a limited number of pre-approved users within San Francisco.

Introducing the Waymo One Trusted Tester Program

The official launch of the Waymo One Trusted Tester program occurred on Tuesday. It features a fleet of fully-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles. These are equipped with the company's latest autonomous driving system – the fifth generation Waymo Driver.

According to Waymo, the Waymo Driver benefits from extensive testing. This includes 20 million miles of real-world autonomous driving and over 10 billion miles accumulated through simulations.

A Proven Strategy, Replicated

This rollout mirrors Waymo’s successful strategy implemented in Phoenix, Arizona. There, the company first introduced its commercial ride-hailing service several years ago.

The Trusted Tester program represents a rebranding of Waymo’s earlier Early Rider Program, which began in Metro Phoenix in April 2017. Given the program’s longevity, the original designation was deemed no longer appropriate, as stated by a Waymo representative.

Progression to Public Access

In Phoenix, select participants from the initial Early Rider Program were subsequently invited to transition to the full Waymo One service. This allowed them to publicly share their experiences and extend invitations to friends and family.

Eventually, the service was made available to the general public.

Joining the San Francisco Program

Residents of San Francisco can now download the Waymo One application and register their interest in participating. The initial phase will focus on a diverse group of individuals with varying transportation requirements, including those needing wheelchair accessibility, as Waymo has indicated.

The company has not disclosed the size of the initial rider group or the number of Jaguar vehicles deployed. However, participants will be expected to provide comprehensive feedback on their experiences and adhere to a non-disclosure agreement.

Service Details and Availability

Waymo intends for its autonomous service to address everyday transportation needs. Currently, rides are offered free of charge.

The initial service area encompasses neighborhoods such as the Sunset, Richmond, Pacific Heights, Noe Valley, the Castro, and Haight-Ashbury, with plans for future expansion. The service operates 24/7, as confirmed to TechCrunch.

Safety and Support

Each vehicle will be accompanied by an “autonomous specialist” – a trained human safety operator – in the front seat. Their role is to monitor the ride and ensure passenger safety.

These safety drivers are contract employees of Transdev, a long-standing staffing partner for Waymo.

Riders can access Waymo’s support team via an in-car screen or through the mobile application for assistance during their journeys.