Tech
Funny
In the bustling metropolises of Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Francisco, and Wuhan, China, a futuristic sight has become increasingly common: taxis without drivers, effortlessly picking up passengers and navigating through traffic. For those living in these cities, the novelty has worn off, but for the rest of the world, this is a glimpse into a future that is unfolding quietly yet rapidly.
The hype surrounding autonomous vehicles reached its peak around 2018, only to be followed by a period of disillusionment after a self-driving Uber was involved in a fatal accident in Arizona. However, beneath the surface, significant investments continued to flow into the industry. Since 2020, over $11 billion has been committed to Waymo, Alphabet's subsidiary, alone. Today, Waymo's fleet of empty electric Jaguar SUVs cruises through the streets of its U.S. markets, while Baidu's Apollo Go operates a similar fleet in Wuhan.
To truly grasp the essence of this emerging technology, WIRED embarked on an unconventional experiment: tailing a Waymo robotaxi for an entire workday. Our mission was to observe its movements, interview its passengers, and understand its place in the urban landscape through the eyes of a human driver.
The Chase Begins
Our driver, Gabe Ets-Hokin, a third-generation San Franciscan with a colorful past as a taxi driver and a Marine, took the wheel of a gray Hyundai Ioniq 5 EV. With a ukulele poking out of the center console and military service ribbons on the dashboard, Gabe was ready to lead the chase. The plan was simple: hail a Waymo, follow it wherever it went, and document its journey.
As we waited for the Waymo to move, Gabe quipped, "It looks shy." But when it finally started, he sighed, "I'm not used to driving this slow." The pace was indeed leisurely, a stark contrast to the high-speed chases of Hollywood lore.
A Day with Waymo
Riding in a Waymo is an experience unlike any other. It begins like an amusement park ride but quickly becomes a serene, predictable journey. Passengers often praise the security and privacy it offers, feeling safer than with human drivers. Our 90-year-old "mother" echoed these sentiments after her first ride, noting the absence of a human presence made her feel more secure and private.
As we followed the Waymo, Gabe regaled us with stories of San Francisco's history, pointing out landmarks and sharing anecdotes about the city's past. His presence was a reminder of the human element that autonomous vehicles aim to replace.
The Future Unfolds
Waymo is set to expand its operations to Austin, Texas, and Atlanta, Georgia, in early 2025. Meanwhile, other cities around the world, from Las Vegas to Singapore, are testing autonomous rideshare cars. The future of transportation is no longer a distant dream but a reality unfolding before our eyes.
As we concluded our chase, it was clear that while the novelty of robotaxis may have worn off for some, their impact on our daily lives is only just beginning. The question now is not if autonomous vehicles will become the norm, but how quickly they will transform the way we travel.
Source:
WIRED Staff, WIRED https://www.wired.com/story/waymo-robotaxi-driverless-future/
Image Credit: Darrell Jackson