There’s a new self-driving vehicle on the block! Waymo has announced a major move for Miami residents and visitors looking to take the service, as its fleet of robotaxis take on the looming challenge of the city’s traffic.
With nearly 10,000 local users already on the waitlist, the launch will cover a 60-square-mile area encompassing neighborhoods like the Design District, downtown Miami, Wynwood and Coral Gables. Service will soon be expanded to Miami International Airport, according to a press release.
Citing over 127 million fully autonomous miles on public roads, Waymo’s cars have already been operating in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Atlanta and Austin. They have also been testing in Miami’s streets since early last year, but now it’s ready for the big leagues. The company is inviting riders on a rolling basis to manage the demand and ensure service quality.
How to use Waymo
The service works similarly to other ride-sharing apps — minus the driver, of course! You can download the Waymo app and enter your destination. Once your ride arrives, unlock it via the app, buckle up and tap the screen to begin.
The fully-electric vehicles are equipped with touchscreens monitoring the route and USB ports, so you can charge your device during the ride. You can adjust the temperature or link to your own Spotify or Apple Music account to play songs through the car’s speakers from your seat.
Waymo says its technology is built to handle Miami’s specific environment, from the bright midday sun to sudden tropical downpours. Although the driverless vehicles are ahead of the game, they aren’t entirely without issues, especially when it comes to complicated traffic situations. Earlier this month, a Waymo car stopped on the Venetian Causeway and caused a traffic jam…