Get ready, Santa Monica! Waymo, the autonomous ride-hail service, is bringing its self-driving cars to your city on Oct. 11. This exciting new service operates just like Uber and Lyft, but without the driver. All you have to do is hail a ride on the Waymo One app, and the car will arrive with your initials displayed proudly on top.
These fully electric vehicles are equipped with state-of-the-art cameras and sensors. And here’s the best part: you can unlock the car doors directly from the app! It’s a seamless and futuristic experience.
Waymo, originally launched under Google in 2009 but now an independent company, is a pioneer in autonomous self-driving cars. With over 400 autonomous ride-hail cars already operating in San Francisco and Phoenix, they are now expanding their fleet to Southern California, starting with Santa Monica.
“Angelenos should just start thinking about where they want to hail their first ride to,” says Waymo spokesperson Sandy Karp. “It was pretty memorable for me, so I’m excited to hear where Angelenos go.”
Self-driving tech company Waymo tests a Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan in Los Altos, California, on Nov. 19, 2017. (Dllu/Public domain)
But Santa Monica is just the beginning. Waymo has big plans to expand its presence across Los Angeles. In the coming weeks, they will be launching in Century City, Venice, Brentwood, West Hollywood, Koreatown, and downtown Los Angeles.
Each vehicle is equipped with cutting-edge technology that allows passengers to control everything, from music to temperature. You’ll even have access to a map with an estimated drop-off time. It’s the ultimate personalized ride experience.
The launch in each city will last for two weeks before moving on to the next stop on the Southern California tour. Waymo currently offers tens of thousands of rides per week in Phoenix and San Francisco, and they’re ready to bring the same convenience and innovation to Los Angeles.
The first event in the Los Angeles area will be on Oct. 11, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Arizona Avenue and 3rd Street in Santa Monica. For now, rides are limited to the tour stop locations, so make sure to take advantage if you’re in Santa Monica!
The Waymo logo during the company’s unveil of a self-driving Chrysler Pacifica minivan during the North American International Auto Show in Detroit, on Jan. 8, 2017. (Brendan McDermid/Reuters)
“As we prepare to launch in L.A., we are excited to open our doors to locals and visitors to experience the service we’ve been hard at work creating with Angelenos for Angelenos,” said Waymo in an emailed statement to The Epoch Times. “L.A. is a city with so many diverse people and neighborhoods, so we really wanted to use this tour as an opportunity to discover how our autonomous ride-hailing service fits into their lives.”
Waymo has been testing its autonomous driving tech vehicles since 2016, starting in Phoenix. Despite some concerns about safety, the company assures that they have conducted extensive safety testing across more than 25 U.S. cities.
For the next few weeks, all rides in Los Angeles will be free. After that, fares will depend on distance and traffic, but Waymo promises to be “comparable” or “competitive” with other rideshare companies like Uber or Lyft.
How do Waymo’s advanced mapping systems contribute to a smooth and reliable ride experience
Lements of their ride experience. Passengers can adjust the temperature, music, and even toggle the in-car lighting, all from the convenience of their smartphone through the Waymo One app. This level of personalization ensures a comfortable and enjoyable ride for everyone.
Safety is of the utmost importance to Waymo. Their self-driving cars undergo rigorous testing and have accumulated millions of autonomous miles on the road. Waymo’s vehicles are designed to prioritize the safety of passengers and pedestrians alike. The advanced cameras and sensors enable the cars to perceive their surroundings with exceptional accuracy, making split-second decisions to avoid any potential hazards.
To ensure a smooth and efficient ride, Waymo’s vehicles are equipped with advanced mapping systems. These maps are constantly updated to provide the most accurate and up-to-date information about the roads, traffic conditions, and any construction or road closures. This ensures that Waymo’s self-driving cars can navigate the city with ease and provide customers with a reliable and timely service.
Waymo’s expansion into Santa Monica and soon, all across Los Angeles, marks a significant milestone in the development of self-driving technology. The autonomous ride-hail service not only provides a convenient and futuristic mode of transportation but also paves the way for a more sustainable future. By eliminating the need for human drivers, Waymo’s self-driving cars reduce emissions and contribute to the efforts of combating climate change.
The introduction of Waymo’s self-driving cars in Santa Monica offers residents and visitors an exciting glimpse into the future of transportation. As technology continues to evolve, it is crucial for cities and communities to embrace these advancements and adapt to the changing landscape of mobility. With Waymo at the forefront of the self-driving revolution, we can expect to see more cities and regions embracing this transformative technology in the years to come.
So, whether you’re exploring the picturesque streets of Santa Monica or venturing through the bustling city of Los Angeles, be sure to hail a ride on the Waymo One app and experience the convenience, safety, and innovation of self-driving cars firsthand. Waymo is leading the way towards a future where transportation is not only efficient and accessible but also sustainable and environmentally friendly.
