Waymo launches limited driverless ride service in Miami
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Some Miamians will now be able to hail a Waymo, as the company launched limited autonomous ride share service in the city on Thursday.
Why it matters: Locals may have seen the driverless cars testing in the area over the past year, but now they will be driving around paying customers.
Driving the news: Waymo will initially operate in a 60-square-mile radius covering areas like the Design District, Wynwood, Brickell, Coral Gables and South Miami.
- The company says it plans to expand to Miami International Airport "soon," along with the planned addition of freeway access later this year.
Yes, but: For now, the service will only be available to a small group of users who already signed up for access.
- "With nearly 10,000 residents already signed up, we will be inviting new riders on a rolling basis..." the company said in a press release.
- Waymo says it will open up access to the general public later this year.
- The company won't say how many cars are operating in Miami, but it says Thursday's launch did not come with a substantial increase in the number of cars on our roads. It plans to grow the fleet over time.
- Currently, it has over 2,500 cars operating in its five other markets, including roughly 1,000 in the San Francisco Bay Area.
Follow the money: Waymo tells Axios its pricing will be competitive with other rideshare services, despite not having a human driver to tip.
- Pricing is based on typical factors like time and distance, and prices may increase during busier times, the company says.
Friction point: A viral video earlier this month appeared to show a stopped Waymo car causing a traffic jam on the Venetian Causeway — an area that, along with all of Miami Beach, will not be part of the company's initial service area.
- In response, the company told Axios it would commit to learning from situations like that, with its goal being safety for passengers and the general public.
- Waymo has said that compared to the average human-driven car, its self-driving cars are involved in far fewer injury-causing collisions.
What they're saying: "Our technology is built to handle the city's unique environment, from the bright midday sun to sudden tropical downpours, ensuring a reliable service in diverse weather conditions," the company said in the release.
What's next: If you're interested, you can download the Waymo app to sign up for future access.