As of right now GOOGLE / WAYMO has begun monetizing some of their self driving vehicles. Development of WAYMO self driving vehicles has been ongoing for over 10 years, and includes cars and trucks, as each is seen to have commercial potential. In four suburbs of Phoenix Arizona (about a 160 km zone) self driving WAYMO ONE taxis are now in operation. Generating revenue after all these years of development and testing is a significant milestone, and puts WAYMO ahead of rivals like GM’s Cruise Automation, and Uber Technologies. All players in this field will certainly want to attract and keep customers and begin to recoup the money invested in the technology so far.
So, how does a customer use the WAYMO ONE taxi service? First, you need to download the WAYMO ONE app and provide credit card details, and then you can use the app to notify the service of your needs, providing your location and a destination. Much like UBER and LYFT, the app will provide a price quote and a time for pick-up. The service is touted to be operating 24 hours a day, however, it is available now only to a few hundred residents who signed up last year, and the exact number of taxis in operation has not been revealed by WAYMO. For cost comparison, the WAYMO charge for a 15 minute ride (about 3 miles) is $7.60, whereas the comparable LYFT charge is $7.20.
At this time WAYMO ONE taxis include a human in the driver’s seat, to intervene only in emergencies, and there is the app or in-car console to link passengers to a WAYMO ONE agent for answering questions and documenting comments. Some report that the ride is a little slow and sometimes jerky. WAYMO works with passenger feedback to help refine all aspects of the WAYMO ONE taxi experience. Only a handful of other startups have monetized driverless technology, in small ways, such as Boston’s OPTIMUS RIDE that has contracts to provide driverless vehicle services in enclosed, low speed environments, like gated business parks and seniors facilities.
There are still significant challenges to making a buck in the autonomous vehicle space. All across the USA there are many laws and regulations that fail to provide a coherent framework for designing the vehicles or the software applications needed to put them to work on their own. Estimates are that over $1 billion has been spent on driverless technology, and over 10 million miles have been traveled. Still, everyone is proceeding with great caution, wanting to ensure that the early adopters have only safe and satisfying experiences, generating enthusiasm, curiosity, and confidence. Given all that, the sky seems to be the limit for this exciting, disruptive technology.
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FAQs
The cost of a Waymo ride varies based on many factors, like location and trip duration, but are generally comparable to the same trip in an Uber or Lyft. Waymo can be slightly cheaper in the base fare, and there is also no driver to tip.
How much does Waymo ride cost? ›
In comparison to other ride-hailing apps, we checked a sample ride on Uber, Lyft, and Waymo, and all three offered similar prices in the $11-14 range – though with Waymo, you don't have to tip a driver, so there's that.
Is Waymo better than Uber? ›
But despite the novelty of riding in a driverless vehicle, Waymo just couldn't keep up with Uber. The driverless cars avoid the freeway, and the wait times can often be long. Although Waymo currently is not charging users for rides, its projected prices were also higher than those of Uber.
How much will Robotaxis cost? ›
There will be a $5 base fee (”flag drop”) plus 90 cents/mile and 40 cents/minute, plus tax. The real cost is the 40 cents/minute. Taxis in a dense city like San Francisco during daytime traffic only average about 12 miles/hour, so the hourly fee will add about $2/mile to the price bringing it over $3/mile.
How many can ride in a Waymo? ›
Note our capacity limit
Waymo One vehicles allow a maximum of 4 total riders (3 riders in the rare event we let you know an autonomous specialist is present). Read more about seating and capacity.
Are Waymo rides free? ›
All rides will be free and available around the clock. Interested riders can get a ticket in two ways: Attend a pop up: Waymo will be popping up in local spots throughout LA to hand out early access tickets to ride in addition to special tour merch while supplies last.
Is Waymo 99% of the way to self-driving cars? ›
Waymo Is 99% of the Way to Self-Driving Cars. The Last 1% Is the Hardest. The world's most famous autonomous car shop has lost its CEO and is still getting stymied by traffic cones. What's taking so long?
Can you drink in a Waymo? ›
“Waymo One riders are allowed to eat and drink nonalcoholic beverages during their rides,” a Waymo spokesperson said. “There is a reasonable expectation of cleanliness from riders to not leave trash or debris, but the occasional crumbs are human nature.”
How much is it to ride in a driverless car? ›
How Much Cruise and Waymo Rides Will Cost. Cruise rides charge a $5 base fee, plus additional costs for mileage and ride time: $0.90 per mile and $0.40 per minute. The company also includes a 1.5% city tax. Cruise says they do not have surge pricing.
Can you buy a Waymo self-driving car? ›
Self-Driving Taxis Are Impressive, but You Can't Buy One
We tried out a self-driving Waymo taxi in Chandler, Ariz., earlier this year and came away impressed with how well it navigated city streets (it currently does not travel on highways) without a human driver.
Despite their additional technology costs, robo-taxis could become price competitive with private nonautonomous cars and even transit services (Exhibit 1). While fully burdened costs for such services are very high today, they could decline significantly in the coming decade.
Is self-driving Tesla free? ›
Tesla Full Self-Driving (FSD)
It's the most expensive option on Tesla's menu — it costs a hefty $15,000 upfront, or $200 per month if you prefer to pay for it as a subscription.
What is the cost of a Waymo ride in Phoenix? ›
The Waymo vehicle was a completely autonomous vehicle with no driver in the front seat. The five-mile ride lasted 14 minutes over highways and some neighborhood streets. The cost was $10.77, or a little less than $1 a minute. For the most part, the ride was smooth, allowing me to comfortably avoid spilling my coffee.
Is it cheaper to drive or Uber? ›
If you live in a busy area and drive less than 10,000 miles per year, rideshare services tend to be cheaper. For car owners who live in a highly dense area, you're also saving money on parking costs. So for those who drive more than 10,000 miles each year, it might cost less to own a car.
Is Waymo part of Uber? ›
Uber eventually agreed to pay Waymo $245 million in stock and settled the case. Last year, Waymo and Uber's freight unit partnered to help customers deploy autonomous trucks more efficiently. Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.
Is Waymo like Uber? ›
Waymo's app, Waymo One, looks and works just like Uber's does. Riders enter their destination and get an estimated wait time for a ride. Once you enter your requests, the company dispatches from its fleet of 250 white Jaguar vehicles it operates across the city.
