Austin, often called the “Silicon Hills” of Texas, has been attracting big-name tech giants like Oracle, Dell, Amazon and Google. With innovation at its core, it’s no surprise that autonomous vehicles are now part of the city’s transportation landscape. In its latest move, Uber has partnered with Waymo to bring driverless rides to Austin.
How to request a Waymo ride in Austin?
Uber users in Austin who request an UberX, Uber Green, Uber Comfort or Uber Comfort Electric may have the opportunity to be matched to a Waymo vehicle, pending availability. To increase your odds of being matched, users must have the most recent version of the app and turn on the autonomous vehicle (AV) preference in your account settings (more info here).
Once matched, riders can use the Uber app to unlock the vehicle, a fully electric Jaguar I-PACE, open the trunk and start the trip. You can identify your vehicle by license plate and car make/model. Similar to regular rides, Waymos will wait several minutes (seven to be exact) for riders to board. If any issues arise, 24/7 customer support is available through the Uber app and via in-car assistance. Waymos can accommodate up to four passengers in any seat except the driver’s seat. While four-legged friends are considered family, pets (except service animals) aren’t allowed, as a courtesy to riders with allergies.
Where Waymo operates in Austin
Currently, Austin Waymos operates within the city’s 37-square-mile area in Austin, covering neighborhoods such as Rosedale, South Lamar, Govalle and the Clarksville Historic District. The service is not yet available to and from Austin-Bergstrom International Airport, but Uber and Waymo plan to expand the coverage area in the future.
Where else does Waymo operate?
Currently, Waymo operates in Tokyo and several major U.S. cities, including Los Angeles, Phoenix, San Francisco and Miami. The company has plans to expand service to Atlanta.
While Waymo’s driverless service is still expanding in Austin, its presence signals a growing shift toward autonomous transportation. As Uber and Waymo continue to expand coverage, Austin riders may soon find driverless rides becoming a regular part of their daily commute.