After years of testing and preparations, ride-hailing app Uber has introduced autonomous vehicles as part of its fleet in Austin, in Texas, allowing customers the option to book these driverless vehicles for their next rides.
In a press statement, Uber says that it launched the service earlier this week in Austin, where riders can be matched with a Waymo autonomous vehicle (AV) on the Uber app, making their next trip even more special. Waymo is part of Alphabet, the parent company of global search engine giant Google.
The statement adds that with Waymo’s technology and Uber’s proven platform, it is excited to introduce its customers to a future of transportation that is increasingly electric and autonomous.
In Austin, Waymo rides will only be available on the Uber app. It says that when customers book their next ride on UberX, Uber Green, Comfort, or Comfort Electric, they can opt-in for a Waymo autonomous vehicle. They could then be matched with a Waymo fully autonomous all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicle, at no additional cost. It adds that before a nearby Waymo vehicle is sent to customers, they will have the option to accept or switch to a non-AV ride.
It says that once the Waymo arrives, riders can unlock the vehicle, open the trunk, and start the trip, all from their Uber app. If assistance is needed at any time, riders will have access to 24/7 customer support, accessible in both the Uber app and inside the Waymo vehicle.
Uber says that safety is a top priority and it is at the heart of what it does, so any AV on the Uber network must meet all its safety guidelines. It adds that Waymo is already improving road safety in the cities in which it operates, and their vehicles have tens of millions of miles of real-world driving experience navigating complex road conditions using the Waymo Driver’s suite of sensors.
Uber says that customers in Austin who are excited about riding in a Waymo vehicle can boost their chances of getting matched by opting in via the ride preferences section of their Uber app under Settings.
According to the statement, at launch, riders can travel across 96 sq km of Austin, from Hyde Park, to Downtown, to Montopolis, with plans to expand in the future.
Uber says that all preparations are already being made for the introduction of Waymo autonomous vehicle rides in Atlanta, Georgia which is the next city on its list. It says that as part of its testing process, Uber employees are already taking fully autonomous trips with Waymo in the city, a key step as it prepares to offer Waymo rides to the public there.
Uber claims that it is reimagining how the world moves and building a future where autonomous vehicles and drivers work side by side to help make transportation more affordable, sustainable, and accessible for all.
"
