CEO of Waymo John Krafcik told that the company is now providing limited Rider Only Trip in the Arizona and Phoenix. The company is also looking ahead of the robot taxi business in order to generate more revenue. Waymo has already started to provide fully automated rides without the need for any drivers. This service is only available to early users of the Robo taxi services in Krafcik and Phoenix. This news was confirmed before the conference in Detroit at a dinner with the journalist on Sunday.
He did not mention any details about the time it would take for Waymo to expand their Rider-only services. The riders of the automated services from Waymo have signed a non-disclosure agreement meaning that they are legally bound.
Wyamo is also planning to sell its technology and looking for options other than the Robo-taxi business.
The company has already started testing the automated river for the Peterbilt trucks in order to improve the trucking and commercial delivery applications of the technology. The project is known as “Husky’ said Krafcik. Waymo said that they are testing the systems on the trucks in Georgia, Arizona, and Michigan.
Waymo can also consider selling their driver technology to a carmaker company which is interested in making automated driving. The carmaker has to brand it as Wyamo or can use the maker’s brand name.
Waymo has already announced its agreements for the development of self-driving vehicles with Nissan Motor, Japanese partner and Renault SA.
The company is careful with the rollout of their self-driving services as most automakers and vehicle companies are trying to scale their efforts. Developing a fully functional software that is safe and reliable requires a lot of time and effort along with money and that is why the extra care taken by the company is completely justified
Peter Beaumont is a senior reporter on the Guardian’s Global Development desk. He has reported extensively from conflict zones including Africa, the Balkans and the Middle East and is the author of The Secret Life of War: Journeys Through Modern Conflict. Email: peter@thehearus.com
