Waymo self driving taxi's in SF

[Relax]

While visiting San Francisco, I couldn't resist going for a ride in a Waymo self-driving car. You can't go anywhere without seeing one driving around. I think the company is owned by Google, and the car itself is a Jaguar I-PACE with abunch of extra stuff on it to make it autonomous. Best part - unlike the Teslas, it recognizes bicylists/motorcyclists - I got a close up demo! Probably the highlight of my visit.

 

[POWERMAN]

Skynet getting smarter by the day...
Good thing none of us will be around for the harvesting phase

 

[GreyGhost]

While visiting San Francisco, I couldn't resist going for a ride in a Waymo self-driving car. You can't go anywhere without seeing one driving around. I think the company is owned by Google, and the car itself is a Jaguar I-PACE with abunch of extra stuff on it to make it autonomous. Best part - unlike the Teslas, it recognizes bicylists/motorcyclists - I got a close up demo! Probably the highlight of my visit.

Cool. I am happier with the sensor package on that than one that puts form before function and cost before all else. How was cost? More/less/same as human driver?

 

[Relax]

Cool. I am happier with the sensor package on that than one that puts form before function and cost before all else. How was cost? More/less/same as human driver?

According to my nephew who lives there, the base price works out to be the simlar to Uber and Lift, but works out cheaper overall because you don't need to tip the driver. This was also his first ride, and you can hear him in the video saying now that he's tried it, he won't be using the others where this is available. But as of now, it's only operating in SF and Austin TX, but coming to LA and Phoenix soon.

 

[GreyGhost]

According to my nephew who lives there, the base price works out to be the simlar to Uber and Lift, but works out cheaper overall because you don't need to tip the driver. This was also his first ride, and you can hear him in the video saying now that he's tried it, he won't be using the others where this is available. But as of now, it's only operating in SF and Austin TX, but coming to LA and Phoenix soon.

Can someone sit in the drivers seat or is that locked out somehow? What happens if someone touches the steering wheel?

 

[Relax]

Can someone sit in the drivers seat or is that locked out somehow? What happens if someone touches the steering wheel?

No idea. It does tell you not to touch the wheel or pedals when you get in. Surely someone else has tried, but I wanted to get video of it driving itself, plus I didn't want any possible liability if I sat in the driver's seat and something happened (even if I didn't touch anything).

 

[TwistedKestrel]

Neat video.

I don't necessarily hate self-driving vehicles on principle, and I don't know one thing or another about Waymo's implementation. I did have a pretty strong, visceral reaction to seeing it drive into traffic though. I think I would need to be sedated for enduring it more than a minute

 

[GreyGhost]

. I think I would need to be sedated for enduring it more than a minute

Is that any different than a typical drive in a clapped-out taxi? At least the waymo cars are new and not worn out yet. From what I saw the driving was as good or better than I expect from an Ontario taxi driver. I've never used uber/lyft so I have no comment on their vehicles or driving ability.

 

[TwistedKestrel]

Is that any different than a typical drive in a clapped-out taxi? At least the waymo cars are new and not worn out yet. From what I saw the driving was as good or better than I expect from an Ontario taxi driver. I've never used uber/lyft so I have no comment on their vehicles or driving ability.

Taxi drivers still have a sense of self-preservation, it's just unburdened by the laws of the road or physics