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It hasn’t been long since rideshare apps have taken over the world of transportation. Now a new fast and convenient method is making waves. Waymo, a subsidiary company of Alphabet Inc., is like Uber but without a driver, or more specifically without a human driver. Their cars use autonomous driving technology to transport customers to their desired destination.
The company first launched in 2020, in Phoenix, Arizona. Since then, they have expanded their reach to Los Angeles, San Francisco, Atlanta, Austin. They plan to open in Miami and Washington D.C. and eventually come to the Seattle area.
Waymo cars have been spotted throughout Bellevue and Seattle since the beginning of September. The company has stated they will start with drivers in the cars while they continue to improve their service and gradually, human drivers will be removed. This is not the first time Waymo cars have been in Bellevue; the company had come in 2022 to test their technology in the rainy weather. Waymo is predicted to launch in Bellevue late 2026 or early 2027.
“When Waymo comes to Bellevue, I’m not sure I would be willing to use them since I’ve seen many videos of their malfunctions,” said sophomore Stephany Peixoto.
Peixoto brings up a valid concern; problems with the new technology are very real. One instance had a customer stuck in a Waymo vehicle driving in circles. Other instances include collisions with roadway barriers. Waymo has taken action towards solving these problems, so, by the time Waymo reaches Bellevue, the experience is safe and smooth.
Another huge concern for many potential Waymo patrons is the price. On average a ride with Waymo costs five to six dollars more than the price of Uber or Lyft. But, on the other hand, customers justify the price gap with the absence of tipping and the avoidance of human error.
The arrival of Waymo will provide Bellevue students and families with a cool new mode of transportation. Now, you can ride in a driverless vehicle without the fear of bad driver experiences.
