Waymo takes to the streets in more cities

Waymo, the self-driving car division of Alphabet, has expanded its autonomous rideshare service to Los Angeles after initially launching in San Francisco earlier this year. The vehicles operate without a human driver, often traveling empty to pick up passengers. Andrew Chatham, a senior director at Waymo, emphasizes the safety of their technology, claiming it is statistically safer than human drivers. However, concerns have been raised regarding the safety of these vehicles, particularly after a Waymo car was pulled over in Phoenix for driving into oncoming traffic while navigating a construction zone. Councilmember Soto-Martinez has voiced his apprehensions about the presence of driverless taxis, citing potential safety issues and the impact on employment for human drivers. He argues that elected officials are responsible for ensuring the safety of their constituents and managing transportation challenges. In contrast, experts like Rahul Jain from the University of Southern California believe that the technology is evolving and could eventually lead to the removal of steering wheels in autonomous vehicles, indicating a significant shift in transportation. Despite the concerns, Chatham reassures that Waymo employs many people, and the service aims to alleviate traffic congestion by providing a high-throughput taxi service. The transition to autonomous vehicles is expected to be gradual, as society adapts to the new technology. Jain acknowledges that while technology often displaces jobs, it also creates new opportunities, suggesting that the workforce will evolve alongside advancements in autonomous driving. As Waymo continues to expand its services, the debate over the safety and implications of self-driving cars remains a critical topic among policymakers, experts, and the public. The future of transportation may hinge on how effectively these concerns are addressed and how society adapts to the changes brought about by autonomous technology.