In San Francisco, Waymo, Alphabet Inc.’s autonomous vehicle service, stands out as a compelling option for getting around. Waymo, a self-driving vehicle company based in Mountain View, has been crucial in the integration of autonomous vehicles within cities. Although the introduction of Waymo cars within San Francisco has come with a load of benefits, it hasn’t all been smooth sailing. On occasion, Waymo cars malfunction, causing them to crash into other vehicles, randomly honk at each other, and even shut down completely. These glitches have brought the company’s reputation into hot water. Some believe Waymo vehicles should be banned from city streets, but others think that driverless cars are a pathway to the future.
Archie Hockett, a Berkeley High School sophomore, sees Waymo vehicles as beneficial to San Francisco. “I might think about using a Waymo just once if I was in the city (San Francisco), just for the new experience,” Hockett said. For Hockett, Waymo’s innovation is exciting and is something he would like to experience. Riding around in driverless taxis is only possible in four U.S. cities, which elevates the level of excitement for many. "I would try it just because it'd be fun. Riding in a self-driving taxi isn’t something people get to do every day,” said Renato De Guzman, a BHS sophomore.
According to a report by Waymo in 2023, their vehicles have a lower accident rate than human-driven cars. This is due to their high-tech sensors, which include LiDAR, radar, and cameras that provide a 360-degree awareness of the vehicle’s surroundings, allowing for prompt reactions to potential hazards. “Waymo collectively has more experience driving around San Francisco than any one human driver. I think I would trust it more than a traditional car for that reason,” De Guzman stated.
Another reason driverless cars are so popular is that money can be tight for teenagers. During ride testing in San Francisco, Washington Post journalists found that taking a Waymo is cheaper than taking a Lyft or an Uber. “I love a cheap ride. If there were two options and if one’s cheaper, I’d take that option,” De Guzman said.
Another change that Waymo brings to San Francisco is its economic impact. For some students, the fact that money won't be going to taxi drivers is a large factor for whether or not to use Waymo, as well as the still apparent cheaper option, buses. “I probably wouldn't take one of these before I would take a bus, because it’s still more expensive than a bus," Hockett explained.
Overall, BHS students agree that Waymo is a unique and reliable way to get around, and would be a fun experience to try. Waymo’s new technology is just the first step. In the future, many types of transportation will be autonomous, and Waymo helped catalyze this growth. BHS students recognize this and are excited to embrace the impact that Waymo has had on San Francisco and beyond.