Skip to main content

Waymo announces early rider program

Former Google self-driving car company Waymo has launched the first public trial of its cars, in the Phoenix area of Arizona, where residents can apply to join the early rider program. The company will provide access to its fleet to people with diverse backgrounds and transportation needs who want to ride in and give feedback about its self-driving cars. Early riders will play an important role in shaping the way Waymo introduces its self-driving technology, via personal cars, public transportation, ride-ha
April 26, 2017 Read time: 1 min
Former Google self-driving car company 8621 Waymo has launched the first public trial of its cars, in the Phoenix area of Arizona, where residents can apply to join the early rider program.


The company will provide access to its fleet to people with diverse backgrounds and transportation needs who want to ride in and give feedback about its self-driving cars.

Early riders will play an important role in shaping the way Waymo introduces its self-driving technology, via personal cars, public transportation, ride-hailing, logistics and more.

In addition to the early rider program, Waymo is adding another 500 self-driving 1958 Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans to its fleet, in addition to the 100 already in use on public roads.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • ‘Free’ power for signs, shelters and so much more
    March 17, 2016
    David Crawford looks at the sunny side of the street. Solar power has been relatively slow in entering the transport sector, but a current blossoming of activity bodes well for the large-scale harnessing of an alternative energy that is zero-emission at source and, in practical terms, infinitely renewable. Traffic management and traveller information systems, and actual vehicles, are all emerging as areas for deployment. Meanwhile roads themselves are being viewed as new-style, fossil fuel-free ‘power stati
  • Mobilising data for the future of urban transport
    August 8, 2018
    It's not just gathering the data that's important, says Johan Herrlin - it's making sure that transport organisations share it with one another that will determine travellers' satisfaction. Data is transforming the way we move around cities, from family car journeys to the daily train commute. Gone are the days when travelling from A to B meant remembering your AA map and having to ask for directions at regular intervals. If you were trying to navigate London as a tourist a mere decade ago, it required
  • Report highlights community impact of new mobility options
    March 29, 2018
    Local authorities and communities must understand the impacts of the new mobility options and regulate to get the transport systems they want, according to a new report. Colin Sowman takes a look. Outside of the big cities plagued with congestion, the existing transportation system(s) often cope adequately, and the ongoing workload (maintenance, safety…) is more than enough to keep local transport authorities busy. Is it, therefore, a good use of public service employees’ time to keep abreast of the raft
  • Abu Dhabi embraces 'diversity of choice'
    January 30, 2025
    The Integrated Transport Centre in Abu Dhabi has big plans. Adam Hill hears why choices in the Middle Eastern emirate's mobility ecosystem are crucial when it comes to economic development