Skip to main content
  1. Home
  2. Cars
  3. News

Waymo edges toward full-fledged robo-taxi service with iOS app launch

Trevor Mogg
By

Waymo is moving steadily toward its ultimate goal of a full-fledged robo-taxi service with the launch this week of its ridesharing app for the iPhone. It follows the Android version that landed earlier in the year.

The app has actually been out since Waymo launched its robo-taxi trial service for paying customers in Phoenix, Arizona, 12 months ago, but at that time you could only access it by being accepted into Waymo’s early rider program.

Recommended Videos

Now that the app is available via the iOS and Android app stores, anyone can download it and sign up to join the program. If you’re in the Phoenix area, you’ll be added to a waitlist, after which you’ll have the chance to use the app to request a ride in one of its autonomous Chrysler Pacifica minivans as part of the Waymo One robo-taxi service.

Related

Expanding service

Alphabet-owned Waymo, which was spun out of Google’s self-driving program in 2016, said this week that more than 1,500 people are now using its Waymo One driverless taxi service at least once a month, marking a three-fold increase from January 2019.

It’s not clear how many extra riders Waymo plans to add to its service in the coming months now that the app has wider availability, but let’s hope you won’t have to wait too long if you do decide to sign up to join the program.

It certainly promises to be a fascinating experience for those interested in taking their first trip in an autonomous vehicle. Waymo’s robo-taxis usually have a back-up driver behind the wheel to provide reassurance to riders, but in October 2019 the company started sending out fully driverless vehicles for so-called “rider only” trips.

One year on

To mark Waymo One’s first anniversary, the company offered a few tidbits about how current riders have been using the service. For example, most Waymo One rides take place in the late afternoon and into the evening, with passengers using the service for everything from commuting to work and school, to running errands and visiting family and friends.

Over the last year, the service has added various features such as music-streaming through the vehicle’s speakers, dark mode to make the minivan’s displays dimmer at night, a zoom feature so riders can take a closer look on the screen at what the vehicle is seeing, and a map view that lets riders monitor their route progress.

“We’ll continue to improve and expand our product offering in 2020 by welcoming more members of the public into Waymo One, introducing new features and capabilities into the service to make the experience even more delightful for our riders, and continuing to responsibly scale our fully driverless operations in our early-rider program and begin offering that experience to more of our riders,” Waymo said in a message posted this week.

Editors' Recommendations

Topics
Trevor Mogg
Trevor Mogg
Contributing Editor
Not so many moons ago, Trevor moved from one tea-loving island nation that drives on the left (Britain) to another (Japan)…
Tesla Model 3 vs. Hyundai Ioniq 6: Which electric sedan is best?
Front three quarter view of the 2023 Hyundai Ioniq 6.

There are finally some more electric sedan options. For years, the Tesla Model 3 was really the only good electric sedan that comes at a reasonable price -- until, Hyundai recently launched the Ioniq 6. The Ioniq 6 certainly takes some cues from the larger Ioniq 5, but is smaller and sleeker, with a design seemingly inspired by the Porsche 911.

But the Tesla Model 3 is still clearly an excellent option for those looking for an electric car, and who don't want a larger crossover. Which is better? Here's a look.
Design
The exterior design of the Tesla Model 3 and Hyundai Ioniq 6 is quite different. If you've seen a Tesla car before, then you'll immediately recognize the Model 3 -- it looks largely like a slightly different version of every other Tesla (except the Cybertruck).

Read more
Scout Motors Electric SUV: rumored price, release date, design, and more
Scout SUV Teaser

There's another electric SUV on the way, and this one comes with a familiar name. Volkswagen is reviving the classic Scout name for a new electric SUV that's billed as being an "RUV," or a rugged utility vehicle. And, it could well prove itself as the best electric SUV in its price range, when it does finally come out.

The new EV isn't due out for quite some time, but there's already a fair bit that we know about it. Curious to learn more? Here's everything you need to know about the upcoming Scout SUV.
Design
There's very little we actually know about the Scout SUV so far, but we do know a little about the eventual design. A few teasers for the upcoming vehicle have been released, showing sketches of both the SUV and the accompanying pickup truck, along with what's presumably the front of the SUV -- though in a dark environment, with little detail.

Read more
Volkswagen ID.GTI concept is another icon reimagined as an EV
Front three quarter view of the Volkswagen ID.GTI concept.

Volkswagen reinvented one of its most iconic models with the ID.Buzz, a modern, all-electric homage to the classic Microbus. But that's not the only fan favorite vehicle currently in the automaker's catalog.

Debuting at the 2023 Munich Auto Show, the Volkswagen ID.GTI concept aims to do for the Golf GTI hot hatchback — VW's signature performance car — what the ID.Buzz did for the Microbus. VW claims a production version has already been given the green light, although it won't say when it will appear.

Read more