UPDATE: Waymo has officially launched autonomous test drives in Philadelphia, ramping up excitement and concern among residents. The California-based ride-hailing company confirmed earlier today that its autonomous vehicles are now navigating the bustling streets of Center City, signaling the first step towards fully driverless operations.
As of now, trained human specialists are still behind the wheel, but Waymo is preparing for a public launch. The streets of Philadelphia are already seeing these distinctive vehicles, which have sparked a range of reactions from curious onlookers to skeptical residents. Some express excitement about the future of transportation, while others voice concerns regarding safety and traffic conditions.
Brendan Divilly, a New York City resident who previously experienced a Waymo ride in San Francisco, described it as “very dystopian.” He added, “I think a lot of people will be skeptical of them.” Divilly admitted to feeling “definitely nervous” during his first ride, emphasizing the uncertainty of relying solely on technology.
Concerns regarding Philadelphia’s famously challenging traffic have also surfaced. “I do not think the Philadelphia drivers will handle this well,” Divilly warned, referencing the notorious congestion on I-95, particularly during busy times like Eagles playoff games. Paul Kahn, an attorney in Center City, shared similar concerns, stating, “It’s just a bad driving city.”
The vehicles are not without their controversies. Recent incidents involving Waymo cars in other cities, including a vehicle blocking traffic outside an NFL stadium in Atlanta, have fueled skepticism among Philadelphians. Ryan Berry, a resident of Chester, voiced his worries about safety, saying, “I’m just worried about my safety cause of AI.”
In an official statement, the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation (PennDOT) acknowledged the significance of this testing phase, calling it “the first step toward driverless operations in Pennsylvania.” The agency confirmed its collaboration with Waymo as the company prepares to roll out its public service.
Waymo has yet to disclose a timeline for when residents will be able to hail rides in fully autonomous vehicles. A company spokesperson stated, “Riders won’t be able to hail a Waymo just yet. Once we are fully autonomous, we’ll let the public know when they can ride.”
For now, the streets of Philadelphia will continue to see these automated vehicles, leaving residents eager yet cautious about the future of ride-hailing in their city. Stay tuned for updates as this story develops and as Waymo moves closer to launching its fully autonomous service.
