Waymo’s fully autonomous ride-hailing service is now available to everyone in Los Angeles. Previously limited by a waitlist of nearly 300,000 people, the Waymo One app is now open for anyone in the city to download and book a driverless ride.
This announcement marks a significant expansion for Waymo’s robotaxi service, which began offering paid rides in Los Angeles earlier this year. The high demand quickly led to the implementation of a waitlist, but now, as Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana stated, “Now is an exciting time to welcome everyone in Los Angeles along for the ride.” Mawakana emphasized the rapid maturation of the service and the positive reception from riders embracing the benefits of fully autonomous driving.
Currently, Waymo’s service area covers approximately 80 square miles of Los Angeles County, with plans to expand coverage to encompass more of the city in the future. The company reports hundreds of thousands of paid trips completed, boasting an average rider rating of 4.7 out of 5 stars. A recent Waymo survey further reinforces customer satisfaction, with 98% of Los Angeles riders expressing contentment with the service.
Despite this positive momentum, Waymo has faced some challenges. Earlier this year, the U.S. government’s highway safety agency initiated an investigation into reported crashes and traffic violations involving Waymo’s autonomous vehicles, which also operate in San Francisco and Phoenix. Additionally, there was a recent incident involving Waymo cars repeatedly honking their horns at night, disturbing residents. Waymo has since addressed and resolved this issue.
Waymo’s expansion in Los Angeles signifies a growing acceptance of autonomous vehicle technology and its potential to reshape urban transportation. While challenges remain, the company’s commitment to safety and its positive rider feedback suggest a promising future for robotaxi services.
