Waymo — Local services in Mountain View

My first experience with Waymo in Phoenix was nothing short of exhilarating. As someone who follows transportation trends closely, stepping into a fully autonomous vehicle for the first time was both novel and fascinating. The excitement was immediate, but what impressed me most was how quickly the experience shifted from novelty to practicality.

The vehicle arrived precisely on time and was immaculately clean. The interior, set at a comfortable 70 degrees, offered a welcome reprieve from the relentless 111-degree Phoenix heat. The climate control alone felt like a luxury in the Arizona desert.

Once inside, the ride quality was smooth and controlled. Lane changes, stops, and navigation felt intuitive. The AI driver handled complex traffic patterns and evasive maneuvers with ease far exceeding expectations for a first-time user.

What truly set Waymo apart was its punctuality. Pickup and drop-off times were exact, which made transitions to meetings and the return to the airport seamless. In an era where unpredictability can derail a day, Waymo delivered reliability.

For visitors traveling through Phoenix, the standout value is the price. Upon arrival, I used a traditional ride-share service to the hotel $35 plus tip. On my return, the same route with Waymo cost just $9.37. That disparity alone makes it a game-changer for frequent travelers or those budgeting carefully.

However, there is one important operational insight for new users. Always enter the name of the hotel or restaurant; not just the street address. The app will drop you at the curb if an address is entered; but using the business name ensures a front-door arrival. Additionally, the app allows for multi-stop routing, which is useful when coordinating small group travel.

Waymo’s current travel zone in Phoenix remains limited. Yet, given the increasing demand and adaptive technology, I expect those boundaries will expand quickly.

With room for three to four passengers and storage for one large and one medium suitcase, it is a viable option for light-traveling professionals or vacationers. The ride was smooth, the savings significant, and the convenience undeniable.

Waymo in Phoenix is not just a transportation service it is a glimpse into the future of mobility....

I spent a week in SF recently, and being from the East Cost and an Alphabet investor, one of the things I wanted to experience and assess for myself was an autonomous robotaxi Waymo ride.

I used Waymo numerous times over a week, and I state with confidence that this is a better experience than using traditional ride share services. Not only is the entire Waymo fleet newer and standardized, so you're not riding in someone else's random jalopy. The vehicles are clean, neither the vehicle or the driver (since there isn't one) smell! The actual passenger experience is the same from Waymo to Waymo, because well, they're all the same and operate the same. I also felt safer with the Waymo than I did with a human driver in an traditional ride share vehicle.

All ride share drivers are different, including having very aggressive and careless drivers. But Waymo is autonomous, every single one operates the same. Unlike Marcelo the aggressive ride share driver, none of my Waymos held their horn down to irritate and intimidate pedestrians in a crosswalk, the Waymos just patiently waited for the crosswalk to clear.

Some of the other reviews will note that Waymos are more expensive. Once you consider a 20% tip for your ride share driver, which you don't have to do with Waymo, the pricing differential between the two services isn't too different. On one occasion taking a Waymo was substantially cheaper, on most occasions it was on par with ride share cost + ride share tip, and on a few occasions the Waymo was just much more expensive. It only takes a few seconds to check pricing for each company, but right now I'll take the Waymo experience and pay the slight premium for it as it is just a superior.

Waymo is just a better all around experience. I can't wait for autonomous driving to take over other segments of transportation, like public transportation. Autonomous vehicle tech would be a boon for small to medium cities trying to implement a flexible and cost effective public transportation option.

Alphabet please rapidly expand Waymo to more cities! Don't let your competition catch up...

7/23/2021 3:00 AM - Perhaps the corporate office is oblivious to how their autonomous vehicle garage on 955 Sansome St., 94111 makes the resident next door on Vallejo Street hard to live with. Imagine living in San Francisco since 2009 in the same building, then Waymo moves in next door with an entire 24-hour operation during 2021. The primary concern is, on the top floor at night, your drivers have no consideration when they shine their vehicle headlight towards the building on Vallejo at night, plus the constant chatter throughout the day. My sleep and day to day functionality have decreased due to the noise and light pollution produced by this facility. I have emailed customer service several times with my concerns and have not seen improvement in their protocol or call back. I honestly question the integrity of this company. Tech companies have burden residents in San Francisco who simply want peace and comfort. But there's no resolution with Waymo, nor do they care about the community surrounding them. Selfishness and lack of respect for the residents/community nearby is their hidden agenda. For a company of this stature, I’m honestly disappointed. Waymo should help the surrounding community around them, not be a burden.

7/23/2021 8:45 AM - Woke up to bass music blasting and two drivers playing musical horn with each other for five minutes. Hard to get quality sleep. You’re doing a poor job Waymo being part of the...