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Uber customers in the Valley area of Phoenix now have the option to be picked up by fully autonomous vehicles from Waymo, with no human driver involved. When requesting a ride through the Uber app, users can choose to confirm or decline a driverless Waymo vehicle. The partnership comes as Uber sold its self-driving research unit in late 2020 following backlash from a fatal accident involving one of its self-driving vehicles in 2018.
Uber Users in Phoenix Can Now Opt for Driverless Waymo Cars
In a significant development for the ride-hailing industry, Uber and Waymo have announced a partnership that allows Uber users in Phoenix to opt for fully autonomous Waymo rides. This collaboration offers a unique opportunity for commuters to experience the next generation of self-driving cars. Waymo’s autonomous vehicles operate in select parts of Phoenix, providing a safe and sustainable ride-hailing option.
Uber users can potentially be matched with a driverless Waymo vehicle when they request a ride through the Uber app. However, riders also reserve the right to decline the autonomous option and opt for a traditional ride with a human driver instead.
Waymo Co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana stated that the partnership with Uber aims to introduce more people to the safety and consistency of autonomous driving. Waymo seeks to scale and expand its operations, offering more people the opportunity to experience autonomous rides.
Waymo’s Track Record and User Experiences
Waymo has been operational in Chandler since 2017, providing over 10,000 rides each week. Chandler resident Lenora Treacy described her driverless Waymo ride as luxurious, safe, and strictly adhering to traffic rules. The absence of a human driver eliminates concerns about road rage, possible intoxication, and other human errors.
Waymo’s safety record stands out in stark contrast to some of its competitors. For instance, Cruise, General Motors’ driverless vehicle division, recently paused operations nationwide after an accident in California.
Meanwhile, Waymo reached a milestone in January 2023, covering 1 million miles on public roads without a human behind the wheel. Their published research paper reported 20 collisions in these million miles, with no injuries, and nine instances with no damage. Only two collisions met the criteria for the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration’s database for car crashes.
Uber’s Shift Towards Autonomous Rides
In late 2020, Uber sold its self-driving research unit following a fatal accident involving one of its self-driving test vehicles in 2018. It was the first reported fatal crash involving a self-driving vehicle and a pedestrian in the US.
In the wake of this incident, the new Uber-Waymo partnership signifies a strategic shift towards leveraging established autonomous technology providers for Uber’s services.
Phoenix Uber users who wish to try the autonomous rides can increase their chances of getting matched with a Waymo by updating their preferences in the Uber app.
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