Waymo trials commercial driverless taxi service in Phoenix, Arizona

Waymo has launched a driverless taxi service in Phoenix, Arizona, where riders will be charged for the journeys they take. In a blog post, CEO John Krafcik says the commercial self-driving service – called Waymo One - is available to early riders who have already been using Waymo’s technology. The company hopes to make the service available to more members of the public as it adds more vehicles and drives in more places, he writes. “Self-driving technology is new to many, so we’re proceeding carefully wi
December 10, 2018 Read time: 2 mins

8621 Waymo has launched a driverless taxi service in Phoenix, Arizona, where riders will be charged for the journeys they take.

In a %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external blog post false https://medium.com/waymo/waymo-one-the-next-step-on-our-self-driving-journey-6d0c075b0e9b false false%>, CEO John Krafcik says the commercial self-driving service – called Waymo One - is available to early riders who have already been using Waymo’s technology. The company hopes to make the service available to more members of the public as it adds more vehicles and drives in more places, he writes.

“Self-driving technology is new to many, so we’re proceeding carefully with the comfort and convenience of our riders in mind,” Krafcik adds.

A report by %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external Reuters false https://uk.reuters.com/article/us-waymo-selfdriving-focus/waymo-unveils-self-driving-taxi-service-in-arizona-for-paying-customers-idUKKBN1O41M2 false false%> says the service will operate in a 100-mile zone in Chandler, Tempe, Mesa and Gilbert.

The news agency took a trip but says its Waymo One taxi “proved slow and jerky at times” and was slightly more expensive than existing taxi options.

“For now, pricing is roughly in line with that of Uber and Lyft. A 15-minute, 3-mile (4.8 km) drive taken by Reuters last week cost $7.59, just above the $7.22 offered by Lyft,” Reuters adds.

Riders can hail taxis by downloading the company app and providing a credit card number. A human driver remains in the driver’s seat to take control in emergency situations.

Last month, Waymo was granted a licence to test fully-driverless cars on %$Linker: 2 External <?xml version="1.0" encoding="utf-16"?><dictionary /> 0 0 0 link-external public roads false http://www.itsinternational.com/categories/utc/news/waymo-gets-california-green-light-for-public-driverless-tests/ false false%> in California.

Urban Traffic Control

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Workshop: Self-Driving Cars: Strategic Implications for the Auto Industry
    March 6, 2017
    Autelligence is hosting a one-day workshop on self-driving cars and the associated strategic implications for the auto industry, led by renowned expert Dr Alexander Hars. The workshop begins in Frankfurt, Germany on 23 March and arrives in Auburn Hills, Michigan on 16 May. The event aims to improve understanding of the strategic implications for the auto industry, its suppliers and related industries, as well as the potential impact on automobile design, model mix and volumes, brands and customer re
    Read More
  • StreetLight Data forms M2 Initiative to measure traffic interaction
    June 11, 2018
    Mobility analytics company StreetLight Data has launched its Multimodal Measurement Initiative (M2 Initiative) to measure the way various modes of travel interact. The company says it is developing new analytics that describe the behaviour of each transportation mode individually. The project will assess the interaction between trips made by personal vehicles, public transit, walking, biking, commercial trucks and gig economy trips made by on-demand rideshare and delivery drivers. For the first phase
    Read More
  • Swarco features Solidplus glass beads and Eurotherm markings
    March 19, 2018
    Visitors to the two Swarco stands are in for a ‘fireworks of innovation’ and a scintillating virtual reality (VR) experience where they can enter a three-dimensional Swarco World, based on advanced gaming technology. Swarco improves quality of life by making the travel experience safer, quicker, more convenient and environmentally sound, and the company’s stands and presentation will fully underline these objectives.
    Read More
  • Delhi uses waste-to-energy to power metro line
    June 13, 2019
    Delhi Metro Rail Corporation (DMRC) has announced it is receiving power generated from a waste-to-energy plant to operate the Pink Line metro service in the Indian capital. DMRC says it is currently receiving 2 megawatts (MW) of power from East Delhi Waste Processing Company’s (EDWPCL) 12 MW capacity plant located in the town of Ghazipur. EDWPCL’s waste-to-energy plant was realised from an agreement with the government of Delhi and the East Delhi Municipal Corporation. The facility is expected to pro
    Read More

Highlighted Content