Transport Insights

As Waymo announces that it will be bringing its “fully autonomous ride-hailing service across the pond” from next year, it’s worth looking at what the benefits and risks might be.

The company says that over the coming months, it will “lay the groundwork” for its service in collaboration with fleet operations partner Moove, “and continue to engage with local and national leaders to secure the necessary permissions for our commercial ride-hailing service in London”. 

Conspicuous from its absence in its press release is any comment from local leaders, such as the London Mayor/TfL and the necessary permissions are clearly not in place yet.

On the other hand, transport secretary Heidi Alexander, who never misses an opportunity to shoehorn the latest slogan into a quote, is happy to comment:

I’m delighted that Waymo intends to bring their services to London next year, under our proposed piloting scheme.

Boosting the AV sector will increase accessible transport options alongside bringing jobs, investment, and opportunities to the UK. Cutting edge investment like this will help us deliver our mission to be world-leaders in new technology and spearhead national renewal that delivers real change in our communities.

You can’t argue with the idea that autonomous vehicles could increase mobility for people with disabilities but the rest of the list, particularly “bringing jobs” by getting rid of drivers, is a lot of wishful thinking.

Also quoted in the press release are Robin Spinks, head of inclusive design at the Royal National Institute of Blind People, who is severely sight impaired, and James Gibson, executive director of Road Safety GB. I don’t think I am in a position to argue with either of them.

What else could go wrong?

Yesterday, the Independent reported:

A California prankster has gone viral after sending 50 driverless Waymo vehicles down a dead-end street in San Francisco.