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

  • Oregon trials road user charging
    February 11, 2013
    In Oregon, gas-tax money funds about 58 per cent of the budget used to take care of the state’s roads. As vehicles become more fuel efficient, the gas tax, which is 30 cents a gallon in Oregon and 37 cents in Washington, will generate less and less money. “If we’re using gasoline and diesel sales to fund our transportation system, we’re going to be in big trouble,” said Patrick Cooney of the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT). Recognizing the problem early, Oregon started studying alternatives to th
  • Switching Atlanta onto MaaS
    May 9, 2019
    It’s easy to talk about MaaS in the abstract – but MaaS isn’t going to work if it’s just a theory. Colin Sowman speaks to one woman about the practical benefits - and difficulties - of getting out of her car and switching to public transit in Atlanta, Georgia One of the first goals of Mobility as a Service (MaaS) inventor Sampo Hietanen is that MaaS should persuade households they don’t need a second car. This is starting to happen - even in the car-dominated US. Last year, authorities in the state of Ge
  • Greenowl brings bespoke traveller information one step closer
    June 4, 2015
    Greenowl’s voice-only congestion warning smartphone app alerts drivers to problems ahead and could be the way ahead for traffic information. If there is one point Matt Man, CEO of Canadian company Greenowl, wants to make clear from the start, it is that his company’s app is not a navigation system. He says: “Our system does not direct drivers to their destination because we mainly focus on commuters who know how to get to where they are going and only need information about any delays and incidents ahead of
  • What will MaaS look like in 2031?
    October 25, 2021
    The next decade will see the humble trip planning app transformed by machine learning and AI, revolutionising the way we move around and interact with each other, says John Nuutinen of SkedGo