I ARRIVED in Los Angeles from my homebase in New Albany, Indiana with a sense of anticipation and a touch of trepidation. I wasn’t here to test drive a car, I was here to test ride one–with friends, going to a wedding.
I had just missed Waymo’s free driverless taxi service by two days, but the idea of experiencing this cutting-edge technology firsthand was too tempting to resist. I knew I had to give it a try, even if it meant paying for the privilege.
After downloading the Waymo One app and joining the waitlist, I was thrilled when I received an invite code within a few hours. My heart raced as I requested my first ride, choosing a pickup point near my hotel in Santa Monica.
A few minutes later, a sleek white Jaguar I-Pace with the Waymo logo pulled up. As I approached, the car’s sensors whirred and blinked, seemingly assessing me before unlocking its doors. Hesitantly, I slid into the front seat, my mind a jumble of excitement and nervousness. I chose the front so I could document as much as I can from this experience.
There was no chauffeur, just an eerie empty seat and a steering wheel that moved on its own. A screen on the back of the front seat displayed a map of my route and estimated time of arrival. I took a deep breath and told myself to trust the technology.
The car pulled away smoothly, navigating the busy streets of Santa Monica with ease. I was amazed at how well the car handled traffic, stopping at red lights, yielding to pedestrians, and merging into lanes with confidence. It felt surreal to be in a car that was driving itself, but I couldn’t deny the sense of safety and security it provided.
And yet, there was an undeniable eerieness to the experience. With no driver to talk to or offer reassurance, it was all just me and the machine. A million “what ifs” ran through my mind. What if the sensors malfunctioned? What if the car encountered an unexpected obstacle? What if we got into an accident? There was no one to turn to for comfort or guidance, only the cold, unfeeling technology that surrounded me.
As we cruised along the Pacific Coast Highway, I tried to focus on the stunning views of the ocean, but the lack of a driver only amplified my sense of isolation. I found myself gripping the armrests tightly, my knuckles turning white as I willed the car to stay on course. Once I got the hand of it, and put my full trust in the technology, it was really, really comfortable.
My destination was downtown Los Angeles, a notoriously congested area with unpredictable traffic patterns. My anxiety grew as we approached the city center, the streets becoming a blur of honking horns and impatient drivers. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest as I braced myself for the worst.
To my surprise, the Waymo car handled the chaotic streets with remarkable skill, even anticipating the movements of other vehicles and pedestrians. It was as if the car had developed a sixth sense, navigating the urban jungle with ease.
During my exploration of others’ experiences, I found one particularly challenging account: navigating Venice Beach on a weekend. This I experienced myself. There were so many points of distractions and so many activities going on around that car that required a lot of computations. Human drives will gawk at the chaos, but the car demonstrated its advanced pedestrian-intent detection by stopping for pedestrians who seemed undecided about crossing. This cautious approach extended to other situations, such as slowing down for jaywalkers and cyclists, ensuring safety even in chaotic environments. It was the same experience as I read in an article in Electrek.com.
Many riders noted the car’s hesitation during pick-ups and drop-offs. The Waymo vehicle often took its time finding a suitable spot, sometimes causing confusion. In one instance, a rider mentioned the car’s difficulty in an unprotected left turn from an alleyway into gridlock traffic, waiting through multiple light cycles before finally navigating through
As we approached my drop-off point, a wave of relief washed over me. I had made it through my first driverless taxi ride unscathed. Despite my initial fears, the experience had been surprisingly smooth and efficient.
Riding in Waymo’s driverless taxi was a rollercoaster of emotions. The fear and excitement were intertwined, pushing me out of my comfort zone and challenging my trust in technology. While it may not be for everyone, I believe that autonomous vehicles have the potential to revolutionize the way we travel, making our roads safer and our lives easier.
Will the technology work back home?
Implementing driverless taxi technology like Waymo in the Philippines presents several significant challenges. The country’s infrastructure is often marked by inconsistent road conditions, narrow streets, and a high density of informal transport modes like jeepneys, tricycles, and pedicabs. These conditions create a complex environment that current autonomous vehicle technology might struggle to navigate effectively. Additionally, the heavy and unpredictable traffic patterns, combined with a general lack of lane discipline, further complicate the deployment of such advanced systems.
Another critical factor is the technological infrastructure required for driverless vehicles.
The Philippines may lack the necessary support systems, such as reliable high-speed internet and precise GPS mapping, which are essential for the successful operation of autonomous cars. Moreover, the high cost of implementing and maintaining these systems could be prohibitive in a market where affordability is a significant concern. As a result, while driverless taxis in the Philippines may face considerable hurdles and won’t happen, in the next decade or so. But I’d like to be proven wrong on this one.
–The author is now based in New Albany, Indiana, and travels the continental US via EVs, hybrids and now a driverless taxi.
