Uber (NYSE:UBER), in collaboration with Alphabet (NASDAQ:GOOGL)'s Waymo, has launched its first autonomous rides in Phoenix. The service, which starts today, is available within Waymo’s Phoenix service area. Users can book a ride using the Uber app and are notified when they are paired with a driverless Waymo vehicle. The option to confirm or opt for a traditional ride is also provided to the riders.
Rides can be booked through UberX, Uber Green, Uber Comfort or Uber Comfort Electric. The fare for these rides is equivalent to regular Uber services and is shown upfront on the app. The vehicle can be accessed using the app which also offers 24/7 customer support along with an in-car screen in the Waymo vehicle.
Waymo's all-electric Jaguar I-PACE is used for these services, which includes destinations within Waymo's newly extended zone, such as Sky Harbor International Airport's 24th St and 44th St SkyTrain locations. Riders can increase their chances of being paired with an autonomous vehicle by adjusting their Ride Preferences in the Uber app.
This development comes after the suspension of Cruise's operations in San Francisco due to safety concerns raised by the California Department of Motor Vehicles. Despite some disruptions caused by Waymo vehicles, Nicole Gavel, Waymo’s head of business development and strategic partnerships, defends the safety of autonomous driving.
According to data released by Waymo, its fleet has been involved in only two collisions requiring towing and 18 minor contact events after over 1 million miles on public roads without a human driver. None of these incidents resulted in reported injuries.
The launch supports Uber's commitment to becoming a zero-emissions mobility platform by 2040 and marks a significant milestone in integrating autonomous driving technology into its hybrid global network. Future plans include expanding this service to driverless deliveries.
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