From wow to new normal: driverless cars cruise the streets of San Francisco

SAN FRANCISCO: The streets of San Francisco this summer have become a spectacle as autonomous vehicles roam the roads. Locals are used to the sight, while tourists eagerly capture the moment on their smartphones. Katherine Allen, a lawyer, has been voluntarily testing Waymo’s robot cabs since late 2021. Initially, an employee would accompany her, ready to take control if necessary. However, one evening, Allen found herself riding alone without any warning. Despite feeling nervous at first, she quickly adjusted to the experience, noting that it felt oddly normal after a short time.

In San Francisco, Waymo and General Motors subsidiary Cruise operate the driverless vehicles. Both companies recently obtained regulatory permission to operate their fleets 24/7 across the city, excluding freeways. As a result, San Francisco has become the first major city with two fully operational fleets of autonomous vehicles. These companies hope to expand their services to other parts of the United States.

A San Francisco resident named Isaac ordered his first ride using Cruise’s app. The vehicle, named Percussion, arrived promptly but took an unexpected and unexplained detour instead of following the direct route. Isaac found the vehicle’s steering wheel turning on its own to be unsettling. However, he was impressed by the car’s braking capabilities. During the trip, Isaac entertained himself by participating in a quiz displayed on the screen. Although he disagreed with the answer about the best burrito in San Francisco, Isaac overall enjoyed the experience and expressed his willingness to use the service again.

Waymo tester Katherine Allen also highlighted the advantages of autonomous vehicles, such as their cautious driving and the absence of road rage. However, she encountered difficulties when attempting to resume her journey after pulling over. Human drivers did not yield to the robotaxi trying to merge back onto the driving lane. While most incidents involving autonomous vehicles have involved stopped cars, local authorities have asked Cruise to reduce its fleet while investigating two recent collisions, including one with a fire truck.

Robotaxis have generated mixed opinions in San Francisco. Environmental activists criticize them for perpetuating the dominance of private cars, while disability organizations argue that the vehicles are not adequately adapted to their needs. Trade unions also express concerns about potential job losses. However, many people view driverless cars as beneficial to these causes. Waymo claims to have over 100,000 people on its waiting list, indicating significant interest in autonomous transportation.

As for Katherine Allen, who previously enjoyed free rides, she will have to decide between continuing to use Waymo or opting for a human-driven Uber in the future. She bases her decision on factors such as price and travel time, noting that autonomous cars are generally slower.

Source: AFP