Review: Waymo Self-Driving Robotaxi

During a recent date night out in Austin, Mrs. ATX and I had the chance to try out a Waymo self-driving robotaxi. If you aren’t familiar with Waymo, it is the successor to Google’s self-driving car project that was launched back in 2009.

Waymo self-driving robotaxis are currently available for booking by everyone in Phoenix, Los Angeles, and San Francisco via the Waymo One app. Austin has plenty of Waymo vehicles roaming the streets though, rides aren’t yet available to the general public.

To call our Waymo, we simply ordered one via the app and, a few minutes after ordering, our car pulled up to the curb in Downtown Austin. The app alerted us to the fact that the car may need to stop a short distance away from the pick-up point to allow for a safe space to pull off out of the roadway (Waymo: 1 Austin Uber/Lyft Drivers: 0). Sure enough, our modified Jaguar i-Pace was waiting for us on the corner a short walk from our pick-up point.

A Waymo Self-Driving Robotaxi in Austin
Our Waymo Self-Driving Robotaxi was waiting for us on the corner.

As we approached the vehicle, we confirmed our car via the Waymo app on our phone and the door handles popped open, allowing us to enter.

a white car parked on the street
Welcome to Waymo

The car itself was very clean and well maintained and had black (maybe its’s blue?) leather seats that were in great condition. Once inside the car, there was a welcome message for us on the screen and not a soul in the driver’s seat.

Waymo Self-Driving Robotaxi Jaguar i-Pace Interior
Waymo Self-Driving Robotaxi Jaguar i-Pace Interior
Waymo Self-Driving Robotaxi Jaguar i-Pace Interior
This is going to take some getting used to.

After verifying our destination in the app, a safety demonstration was screened on the rear console with a reminder to buckle up. USB-C power ports were also available for use.

Waymo Self-Driving Robotaxi Safety Video
Waymo Self-Driving Robotaxi Safety Video
Waymo Self-Driving Robotaxi Safety Video
Waymo Self-Driving Robotaxi Safety Video

Once the video was done, we were off on our ride! I was impressed with the Waymo Self-Driving Robotaxi’s ability to navigate traffic with ease. While I expected it to be somewhat conservative on the drive, it was actually rather spirited and confident which made me feel better about the ride as a whole.

the inside of a car
And we’re off!

During the trip, both the main infotainment screen and the rear seat screen provided us real-time arrival information to our destination.

inside a car with a steering wheel and dashboard
Waymo Self-Driving Robotaxi Ride Updates
a screen on the dashboard of a car
Waymo Self-Driving Robotaxi Ride Updates

One of the best things about a Waymo ride is the ability to control every aspect of the cabin from the rear infotainment screen. An easy to use user interface puts all of the controls right at your fingertips.

Waymo Self-Driving Robotaxi Infotainment Screen
Waymo Self-Driving Robotaxi Infotainment Screen
Waymo Self-Driving Robotaxi Vehicle Information
Waymo Self-Driving Robotaxi Vehicle Information

Waymo also offers curated playlists from iHeart Media with a wide variety of genres.

Waymo Self-Driving Robotaxi Media Selection
Waymo Self-Driving Robotaxi Media Selection

If you like to be in control of your music, the car allows you to pair your own device via the infotainment screen in the Jaguar i-Pace (Waymo: 2 Austin Uber/Lyft Drivers: 0).

Waymo Self-Driving Robotaxi Media Selection
Waymo allows you to connect your phone to the car to play your own music.

Our Waymo vehicle got us to our destination quickly and without any issues. However, we were having dinner at a hotel in Austin that was located along a main road. Since the vehicle hadn’t mapped the driveway, it didn’t stop on the main road (which is appreciated) and instead pulled onto the nearest side street where we got out.

Waymo Self-Driving Robotaxi
Our Waymo dropped us off around the corner from our destination.

The “cool” factor aside, I really enjoyed our Waymo ride. While it is somewhat weird to get into the backseat of a car with no driver, the technology was much more sophisticated than I would have expected. The vehicle navigated Austin traffic well and was confident in its maneuvers. The only downside was having to walk a short distance to our destination due to vehicle limitations but, it was so minor it’s hardly worth mentioning. I can’t wait to see this technology expand further and, if I was Uber or Lyft, I’d be worried. Waymo is coming for you.

a white car parked on a street
Give me a Waymo over an Uber or Lyft any day.

Summary

I was somewhat sceptical of how well a self-driving car would be able to navigate the streets of Austin but, after my first ride in a Waymo Self-Driving Robotaxi, I’m, sold. While I consider myself an extrovert, there’s something amazing about being driven while maintaining control of every aspect of your ride. I can’t wait to see this technology rolled out to more cities in the future.

Have you taken a Waymo ride before, if so, what was your experience?

11 comments
  1. Very interesting. I live in LA and have seen those cars around with more frequency. Thought they were mapping the streets for Google Maps or the like, but that seemed odd given the increasing numbers. Happy Thanksgiving.

    1. They do look very similar to the Google Street View cars. From what I’ve seen in Austin, when they move into the market they absolutely flood it with cars. Assuming that it helps with data gathering.

      Happy Thanksgiving to you too!

  2. Pretty fascinating stuff. The legroom looks pretty tight considering that there’s nobody in the front seats. Is that the case or just how it appears? I’m 6’4″ so this is a major consideration for me.

  3. Hi, you dont explain if/when this will be widely available to the general public in Austin. And how were you able to try the service? Is this a 1-off trial for bloggers?

    1. I’m honestly not sure when it will be available to the general public. I know someone who works there which is how I got access. I know for the time being the service is only available in and around downtown though it appears to be preparing to expand soon as I’ve seen the cars as far south as Manchaca.

  4. I was able to try Waymo earlier this year in Phoenix, where the service is available to the public…

    https://thegatewithbriancohen.com/my-first-driverless-vehicle-experience-with-video/

    …and at $20.00 total for the ride from Phoenix to Scottsdale, Uber and Lyft should be worried because Waymo was less expensive with my experience — and no tip or gratuity was given as no driver was involved.

    Some people are concerned about potential safety issues that are associated with Waymo and other similar self-driving services. Whether that concern pertaining to safety is justified is subject to debate…

    1. I felt very safe in the Waymo vehicle. Glad to hear that the price was low when you tried it. Our ride was free since they are still trialing the service in Austin so I don’t have a good idea of the cost.

  5. We have used Waymo in Phoenix whenever our kids can’t do an airport run for us. We love it! Clean, nice, reliable and feels safe. The Waymo actually detects pedestrians faster than we do! Plus no personality problems, smoke smell or loud music. Certainly no driver to jump out of the car and proceed to have a “road rage” fist fight with another driver, as happened to me once in DC. Good prices too!

    1. The fact that the rider is fully in control (well, other than the actual driving) is going to be a major selling point. Main issue will come with how quickly they can expand. WHile Austin is still in the pilot phase, there are major chucks of the city outside of the urban core where Waymo won’t operate.

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