Last week, Waymo expanded access to its autonomous ride-hailing service in Nashville, allowing anyone in the city to download the Waymo app and book a driverless journey.
The wider public launch follows an initial rollout that began in April, when the company invited tens of thousands of people from its interest list to use the service. Waymo said the programme has helped introduce local riders to its autonomous vehicle technology ahead of the full public release.
Waymo stated that its growth has been supported by real-world driving data, testing and operational preparation designed to help its vehicles operate in changing weather conditions while working alongside local emergency and safety organisations.
Notably, the company’s autonomous driving system has been involved in 94% fewer crashes resulting in serious or fatal injuries than human drivers operating under comparable conditions.
Waymo is also preparing to extend its operations. The company confirmed that it is testing its autonomous vehicles at Nashville International Airport (BNA) and plans to introduce airport journeys in the future, subject to the necessary approvals and operational readiness.
In addition to bookings through the Waymo app, the company said customers will be able to request autonomous rides through the Lyft app later this year as part of an existing partnership between the two companies.
The public launch has also been welcomed by some local advocacy groups.
James Brown, President of the National Federation of the Blind of Tennessee said:As a blind person, every ride I have ever taken in my life has depended on someone else—a family member, a friend, a driver, or a stranger. Waymo changed that. It’s more than a new technology—it’s a level of independence, dignity, and opportunity that many blind people have never had the chance to experience.
