Uber has taken a bold step into the future of transportation in Phoenix. Riders can now book an Uber ride without the presence of a human driver. This groundbreaking service is the result of a collaboration between Uber and Waymo, a self-driving taxi company owned by Google's parent company, Alphabet. The introduction of driverless rides is set to redefine the way we experience Uber services.
This milestone achievement comes after Uber and Waymo announced their partnership five months ago. The driverless rides will roll out in Waymo's expansive 180-square-mile service area in the Phoenix region. It marks the first time Uber is offering rides without a human operator in the front seat, setting the stage for a rider-only experience in autonomous vehicles.
Noah Zych, the global head of autonomous mobility and delivery at Uber, expressed his excitement, saying, "The goal of autonomous vehicles for a long time has been to get to this moment." The future of transportation is here.
But how does it work? When a rider requests an Uber through the app, they may be matched with a Waymo autonomous vehicle. They have the choice to confirm the driverless ride or opt for a conventional Uber with a human driver. Upon the vehicle's arrival, riders can unlock it through the Uber app and access 24/7 customer support via the app and the in-car screen. Importantly, the pricing for these rides is on par with standard Uber fares, with transparent pricing details provided in the app. Furthermore, Uber and Waymo are collaborating to introduce driverless deliveries in the near future.
Safety has been a concern in the autonomous vehicle industry. Cruise, another self-driving taxi company, recently faced operational issues in San Francisco, leading to permit suspensions by the California Department of Motor Vehicles due to a hit-and-run incident. With Cruise's suspension, Waymo is now the only approved self-driving taxi service offering 24/7 paid rides in San Francisco. Waymo's record shows that after over 1 million miles on public roads without human intervention, their vehicles have been involved in minimal collisions, most of which were a result of human drivers' road rule violations or dangerous behaviors.
Nicole Gavel, Waymo's head of business development and strategic partnerships, emphasized the potential of fully autonomous driving to enhance road safety for all road users, including pedestrians and cyclists.
For those intrigued by the prospect of a driverless Uber ride, starting Thursday, Uber riders in the Phoenix area who request UberX, Uber Green, Uber Comfort, or Uber Comfort Electric may find themselves matched with a Waymo self-driving car. To increase the likelihood of this match, riders can adjust their preferences in the Uber app's Ride Preferences section.
In a significant stride towards the future of transportation, Uber is now offering fully autonomous rides in Phoenix. This development follows Uber's partnership with Waymo, the autonomous vehicle company owned by Google's parent company, Alphabet, which was established in May. Phoenix is the first city where this service is being publicly introduced, and it's a remarkable step considering that it is "the largest fully autonomous service area in the world."
These autonomous Uber rides are provided through Waymo vehicles, and the pricing remains identical to traditional Uber car rides. Uber has received regulatory support for this endeavor, ensuring that it complies with local regulations.
When customers request an UberX, Uber Comfort, Uber Comfort Electric, or Uber Green ride within Waymo's operational territory, they may find themselves paired with one of Waymo's fully autonomous cars. The Uber app will notify users if they are matched with a driverless vehicle, and they have the choice to accept or decline this option.
For those eager to experience autonomous rides, updating preferences in the app can increase the chances of being matched with a self-driving vehicle. Moreover, a 24/7 customer helpline is available for passengers traveling in Waymo cars.
As of now, Uber has not disclosed the number of Waymo cars in operation in Phoenix or the timeline for expanding this feature to other cities.
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