The Futuristic Big Picture: Driverless Taxis Fully Operational on Very Limited Basis in Arizona

Over the past few years, ANCOR has monitored developments in self-driving car technology because of its potential to increase the independence of people with disabilities. While legislative discussions – in which ANCOR has participated – on this topic have stalled in Congress over the past two years, the technology itself is fast advancing. As reported by Axios:

“After two years of tightly controlled operation in Chandler, Ariz., Waymo is opening up its driverless taxi service to the public.

Why it matters: This is a big deal — a real driverless taxi service, with no one in the driver’s seat — that is open to anyone who downloads the Waymo One app.

• Service had been suspended back in March because of the coronavirus.

The catch: You can only ride within a 50-mile radius of Chandler, a suburb southeast of Phoenix, and existing customers get first dibs.

• ‘We’ll start with those who are already a part of Waymo One and, over the next several weeks, welcome more people directly into the service through our app,’ CEO John Krafcik wrote in a blog post Thursday.
• Rides in other parts of the city will restart in a few weeks, with human backup drivers and barriers separating them from passengers.
• That will allow Waymo to keep expanding its service area, Krafcik said.

One note about hygiene: Driverless taxis will be cleaned frequently by Waymo’s service partner, AutoNation, and will be equipped with disinfectant wipes, hand sanitizer and an upgraded air-purification system, Krafcik said.”