The idea that self-driving cars could be safer and more efficient than human-driven cars was a figment of the future just decades ago.

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The future is now, yet many people still have concerns about safety, cost, and overdependence on technology. Within this article, I will address each of these gripes and explain why Google Waymo, Google’s self-driving rideshare service, is making revolutionary strides in the realm of autonomous transportation.

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Waymo’s website describes a simple process, all so similar to popular rideshare services such as Uber and Lyft.

Step 1: Download the app and register an account.

Step 2: Choose a destination and wait for your vehicle.

Step 3: Get in the vehicle.

Step 4: Click “Start Ride” on the screen in the center of the dashboard.

This simple process addresses concerns about the complexity of self-driving vehicles and gives the rider a sense of security in the vehicle's self-sufficiency.

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How does the technology work?

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Step 1: Using various sensors such as lidar (object detection using light waves), radar (object detection using radio waves), and cameras, Waymo forms a map of the surrounding area.

Step 2: Once this data has been gathered and this “map” has been created, machine learning algorithms dynamically analyze it. Essentially, these cars are able to draw such accurate conclusions about their surroundings because they have been trained with many different types of circumstantial data to prepare them for different circumstances on the road. In this step of processing, it will also incorporate the directions to the rider's desired destination.

Step 3: The car will use its derived conclusions to direct the actual functions of the car to successfully drive the rider to their desired location.

Safety

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Because self-driven cars have a more in-depth understanding of their present surroundings due to their advanced mapping technology and a better ability to predict the future due to their meticulous situational AI algorithms, they simply outperform the human brain. In fact, Waymo vehicles are 6.7 times less likely than human drivers to be involved in a crash resulting in an injury and 2.3 times less likely to be in a police-reported crash.

Everyone has heard daunting stories of Uber kidnappings or Lyft assaults. Waymo, with no driver, is risk-free in this regard and provides the rider with a genuine feeling of safety.

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Cost

Waymo charges about $7.60 for a 3-mile, 15-minute drive, whereas Lyft charges $7.20 for the same ride. The price differential is not unprecedented; the pressure of adding a tip is removed, and the advantage of road safety makes the price bump largely worth it.

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Conclusion  

As of right now, Waymo provides services in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix, and Austin and is likely to spread to more locations in the coming years. As AI continues to replace humans, we are not to worry; in the name of safety and human livelihood advancement is always beneficial, and we should welcome services like Waymo with open arms.

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Works Cited

"Waymo." Waymo, 15 January. 2024, https://waymo.com/

Campbell, Michael.“Waymo vs Uber/Lyft – How Much?” Moneytalks, 7 February. 2024, https://mikesmoneytalks.ca/wymo-vs-uberlyft-how-much/#:~:text=For%20cost%20comparison%2C%20the%20WAYMO,comparable%20LYFT%20charge%20is%20%247.20.

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