Waymo: I Have Seen the Future, and I Love It
Watch this 90-second video to see Jonathan in San Francisco in his first autonomous ride: an electric Jaguar.
Last weekend, I found myself cruising the streets of San Francisco in a Waymo – yes, one of those self-driving cars by Google that feels like a scene straight out of The Jetsons.
The autonomous driving experience was surreal yet surprisingly normal. Since debuting its driverless taxis in San Francisco 18 months ago, Waymo has increased public trust and ridership reportedly is up.
Here’s how my memorable 20-minute memorable ride unfolded.
So Easy — Download, Tap & Go
On Saturday afternoon, I was walking around Oracle Park along San Francisco Bay, taking in the water and stadium views, when my brother texted me that he had finished his nearby appointment a little early. I needed to get his keys to him, but I was a 25-minute walk away.
I debated my options: running (still sore from the Chicago Marathon), riding a Bird scooter (not interested in an ER visit), Ubering (oh, so boring and 2009), or letting a robot drive me (with the help of whirling sensors, GPS and lots of cameras).
Technology intrigues me, so Waymo it was!
I quickly downloaded the Waymo app. Thanks to my pre-registered Google account and Apple Pay, I was ready to roll – literally. I summoned my Waymo, walked a few hundred feet to a designated pickup spot, and waited for a white Jaguar I-PACE electric to arrive.
Finding My Ride
Soon, a sleek, driverless car stopped nearby, with an LED blue light prominently displaying my initials, JR. It was like a friendly “hello” from the future. My Waymo app used a numeric pin to unlock the door.
Driverless … and Drama-Free
Once inside, the reality hit me: no driver. Just me, the empty driver’s seat and a small screen between the front two seats guiding me along the route. It felt a bit strange at first, but I quickly adjusted after the soothing Waymo voice reminded me to buckle up and to “not touch the steering wheel or driver controls.”
The last time I remembered being this excited about being in a car was when I took the wheel of the Oscar Mayer Wienermobile as a Hotdogger for the first time in June 1995.
The spacious Waymo was clean and modern. The panoramic sunroof could have used some Windex, but there were no weird smells, awkward small talk, wonky music, or underlying concerns about whether my driver was having a bad day – or worse, was intoxicated. The entire experience felt controlled, futuristic and, dare I say, safe.
Where You Can Ride
Currently, Waymo’s service areas include parts of San Francisco, Phoenix and Los Angeles, with more expansion plans. The technology is already becoming a staple in these cities, especially in neighborhoods where tech-savvy commuters and curious tourists are eager to experience a new way to ride.
FaceTiming About the Future
My spontaneous decision to summon a Waymo didn’t leave time to get nervous. I excitedly FaceTimed my wife and three daughters from the backseat. I feared my enthusiasm was too much for them, so I kept the calls brief. I then quickly settled into a state of calm.
Autonomous driving could very well be the norm soon. Waymo’s competitors, such as Tesla, Uber and Amazon’s Zoox, also are advancing in the growing robotaxi race. The absence of a driver felt strangely comforting: there was no judgment, no pressure, just the open road ahead (in theory) – and, strangely, peace of mind.
After I met my brother to return his keys, I redirected my Waymo to another drop-off location. It was easy. There was no tip to give, and I was sad my ride was over. I saw the future of travel, and I loved it!
Jonathan Rhudy still loves driving and remembers the thrill of helping Ford Motor Company celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2003.