These things are everywhere in my neighborhood and even though I try to take transit (or walk) as much as possible, sometimes you a car is the best option to get where you're going and these are so much nicer than an Uber/Lyft/taxi. No surprise that ridership has exploded since they became accessible to the general public.
San Francisco Waymo rides in January: 77k. In August: 312k
https://www.ktvu.com/news/waymo-ridership-skyrocketed-in-sf-this-year-heres-how-much
8 Comments
j4k3@lemmy.world · 6 pts · 1y
They should find a way to put a bike rack on the back of them. That would make them outstanding for mixed transit and as a viable backup bailout option. The bailout option would greatly increase the confidence and flexibility of e-bikes and road/hybrid.
CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org · 2 pts · 1y
The downside would be they'd have to retrain a bunch of stuff, probably. I'm guessing an interior bike space would be easier to manage.
Lugh@futurology.today · 3 pts · 1y
I wonder what the monthly totals will be next year. When will it hit the 1 million mark, then 10 million?
CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org · 3 pts · 1y
Can you elaborate a bit? Nicer as in comfort-wise, or easier to use? Also, do they still get stuck and confused sometimes?
synae@lemmy.sdf.org · 3 pts · 1y
They're just as easy to use, and they are standardized (afaik) on car type, being some kind of Jaguar model which is comfy. But more experientially, you are no longer in a social situation and can do whatever you like. And it's easy to set up the music to whatever you like :)
I've not been in one that has been stuck or confused, though I have seen them 'stuck' while I am pedestrianing (not stuck, but actually being cautious and deferent to other entities on the streetscape...)
CanadaPlus@lemmy.sdf.org · 3 pts · 1y
Thanks! I just read the Wired article linked in this community and they say a similar thing.
That's kind of concerning, actually. It's just another way to isolate ourselves - even though I totally get it.
synae@lemmy.sdf.org · 3 pts · 1y
Don't forget this is a dense city. Isolation is in short supply! It's nice to be able to choose a non-social option to get somewhere if that's what I'm in the mood for. And obviously everyone is different but I'm usually taking a car to see my friends, go to a concert, store, restaurant, etc -- the difference being that I am choosing those social interactions and opting out of the social part of a cab ride; not something I've personally ever held much in value in the first place.
threelonmusketeers@sh.itjust.works · 2 pts · 1y
Damn, that's some impressive scaling. I hope they can scale to more cities at a similar pace.