A $20 ride through Phoenix in a driverless car might sound unsettling at first. But for one first-time passenger, the trip looked far more ordinary than futuristic.
On camera, the routine was simple: All the rider had to do was buckle up, start the trip, and let the vehicle take over.
Here's what to know
A Sept. 22 TikTok video from creator EV Auto Alex (@evautoalex) captures a first ride in a driverless Waymo in Phoenix. Alex's caption noted: "The first ride was surprisingly smooth."
@evautoalex The entire ride had no driver... Waymos were everywhere on the road. The first ride was surprisingly smooth. #waymo #cybercab #robotaxi #ev ♬ original sound - EV Auto Alex
According to the creator, the trip lasted about 25 minutes and cost just $20. Before the car got going, the onboard system ran through basic guidance, including fastening a seat belt and keeping away from the steering wheel and pedals.
At one point, Alex questioned the pace, thinking the car should be going 50, but the explanation was straightforward. The posted speed limit was 40 mph, and the car was sticking to it.
One commenter wrote: "I love them but they don't speed … not good if [you are] in a hurry."
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More background
The vehicle also provided spoken safety reminders during the ride, including staying buckled and being careful at an exit if a cyclist or another car is coming.
"Waymos were everywhere on the road," the creator wrote in the caption. In the video, he estimated he saw about 50 of them on the ride.
Alex wondered whether this would frustrate or annoy locals, given their tendency to go slower than human drivers and their potential to "clog" the roads. One Phoenix local said otherwise.
"I don't mind the Waymo's at all, and enjoy riding in them," they wrote. "Autonomous vehicles are not permitted to speed."
Another group of commenters had negative viewpoints, so it might be more of a mixed bag. Some said construction compounded traffic concerns.
Safety also came up in the comments, with multiple commenters going to bat for the brand when compared to human drivers.
What's being done?
The creator suggested Tesla's Cybercab could eventually be cheaper than a regular taxi, arguing that the vehicles may cost less to build and operate.
"I think Tesla is just a cooler car to get in and out of," Alex suggested.
That being said, his experience with Waymo was overwhelmingly positive, and he didn't appear to have any complaints.
"It's been flawless," the creator concluded before thanking the brand. "Great experience."
Where can I learn more?
For a closer look at how Waymo's driverless service is working on real streets, these articles cover some firsthand reviews.
• Another rider stepped into a Phoenix Waymo and was amazed by the surprisingly ordinary trip.
• One family took a driverless Waymo and felt alright about trusting a robot.
• Waymo expanded its fleet after its purpose-built robotaxi completed 20 million trips.
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