Would you hail an autonomous, driver-free taxi? Soon that sci-fi scenario will be the reality here in Seattle, thanks to Waymo. The California-based company (formerly known as the Google Self-Driving Car Project) is delivering a fleet of their electric robo-taxis to Seattle this week for a pilot program in the Emerald City.
Read on for all the details.
What are Waymo vehicles?
Waymo driverless cars, also sometimes called “robo-taxis,” are designed to be a safe, convenient, and sustainable rideshare option in cities. These fully electric cars are meant to be available 24/7 without the need for a driver. According to the Waymo website, their cars have 78% fewer injury-causing crashes compared to the average driver.
Currently Waymo operates in LA, Phoenix, and San Francisco. Waymo has also partnered with Uber to provide rides in Atlanta and Austin. In addition to Seattle, Waymo is also expanding its pilot program to Denver this fall, and will soon operate in Miami and D.C.
When will Waymo arrive in Seattle?
Waymo vehicles will arrive in Seattle this week! “We’re excited to open our doors to the broader Seattle metropolitan area and offer a new way to get around,” Waymo’s announcement stated. You’ll soon be able to spot Waymo’s electric Jaguar I-Pace SUVs and Zeekr RTs zipping around the city. However, you’ll see human drivers behind the wheel for now.
When will I be able to hail a ride?
Even though Waymo will arrive in Seattle this week, you won’t be able to take a ride just yet. More on-the-ground testing will have to happen first. This initial step is a pilot program that involves human drivers and coordination with emergency responders and the city’s department of transportation.
In the announcement, Waymo wrote that they have already “spent years getting to know the area—from communities around the Lake to its notoriously wet weather.” We are assuming that they are referring to Lake Washington. If that’s the case, you may also expect to see Waymo vehicles operating on the Eastside such as in Bellevue.
How much does a Waymo ride cost?
According to TechCrunch, Waymo rides on average currently cost more than Uber and Lyft rides: about $20 on average compared to about $15 and $14, respectively. However, it remains to be seen if that will be the case here, since Seattle has the most expensive ride shares in the country. There is demand despite the cost: 42% percent of people reported that they would be willing to pay more for a driver-less ride with Waymo. As Waymo’s supply of vehicles increases, its pricing may go down over time.
If you’re excited about the near-future potential to hail a Waymo Driver in Seattle, you can visit waymo.com/updates to sign up for updates.