Google’s autonomous car project is finally on the road as Waymo CEO John Krafcik announced the launch of commercial self-driving service Waymo One on December 5. Scroll down to see a quick step-by-step guide to booking your Waymo ride.
The service is now live in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area in Arizona, United States and includes areas such as Chandler, Tempe, Mesa, and Gilbert.
About a decade ago, Google stepped into the self-driving scene. Years went by and Google even got a new umbrella company under Alphabet Inc (GOOGL) and the project diversified into Waymo.
By April 2017, the public was test riding the service under the early rider program, and Google used it to refine the service.
Waymo One would open to the same early riders first, and Google expects to add more cars and expand the coverage eventually. “At first, Waymo-trained drivers will supervise our Waymo One vehicles,” said Waymo CEO John Krafcik.
“Self-driving technology is new to many, so we’re proceeding carefully with the comfort and convenience of our riders in mind,” he added.
Google also revealed that many early riders already took fully driverless rides.
Here’s how you take a ride:
1. Confirm your pickup location on the app.
2. Input your destination on Waymo. Type in where you want to go.
3. Confirm your pickup point.
3. Press the Request Ride button.
Your Waymo One will reach you soon as you track it and you can be on your way.
There is an in-car console that answers questions like how to change your destination. You can do so either on the console or directly on your Waymo app during the ride.
According to Google, “up to three adults and a child can ride” at once. Waymo is yet to announce when it launches in other areas, but by the looks of how they are taking it slow, it could be a gradual but significant shift in how we travel.