We’re Not in Kansas Anymore: Uber Enlists Robot Chauffeurs in Phoenix
A Whole New Ball Game for Phoenix Uber Users
In a move that’s bound to amp up the thrill of ride-hailing in Phoenix, Uber has paired up with Waymo to drop some driverless dazzle into their service. The Bladerunner-esque future we’ve all been eagerly (or fearfully) predicting isn’t sneaking around the corner – it’s here and picking you up at the curb.
How It Works? No Rocket Science!
To get in on this Jetsons-reality, all an Uber user needs to do is hail one of their standard rides – an UberX, Uber Green, or Uber Comfort (for all you bougie riders out there). Oh, and if you’re trying to help Captain Planet, you can also hail an Uber Comfort Electric. Once you’ve got your request in, if there’s a Waymo vehicle leapfrogging around in your vicinity and it decides to grace you with its presence, all you need to do is confirm you’re cool with having R2-D2 as your chauffeur!
Revolutionary Partnership: Uber and Waymo
Although we first sniffed out this Uber-Waymo partnership in May 2023 – it’s only now we find the two embracing the spotlight. This unexpected crossbreeding of two silicon valley giants is not just wild, my tech-loving friends – it’s a revolution on the streets of Phoenix!
The Hot Take
As fun as it sounds, there’s a tiny, hilarious irony in here – a ride-hailing app that sought to give people gigs is now helping pioneer a service that could render those very jobs obsolete! Uber’s playing both the hero and the potential villain here. So, let’s buckle up, folks- it’s about to be a bumpy, driverless ride!
Original article: https://techcrunch.com/2023/10/26/waymo-driverless-vehicles-are-now-available-through-uber-starting-first-in-phoenix/
