Interesting discussion, Dave. SF has had the most experience with robocars in the world. We will need good analysis and data from there. I feel safer riding around a Waymo than a human driver, but I wish neither were clogging our streets.
Unfortunately, Waymo is "just the tip" and there's no way for our new mayor to let one in and not open the floodgates for all their competitors, both other AV companies like Xoox, and ridehails like Uber and Lyft.
And, wouldn't you know it, Uber has already threatened to send their black cars onto Market as soon as Waymo is allowed. Maybe they can get away with it, but maybe that's the kind of tone deaf announcement that gets people riled up.
So yeah, just a few is never just a few. If Waymo gets to drive on Market, then everybody is going to be driving on Market.
Interesting discussion, Dave. SF has had the most experience with robocars in the world. We will need good analysis and data from there. I feel safer riding around a Waymo than a human driver, but I wish neither were clogging our streets.
Unfortunately, Waymo is "just the tip" and there's no way for our new mayor to let one in and not open the floodgates for all their competitors, both other AV companies like Xoox, and ridehails like Uber and Lyft.
And, wouldn't you know it, Uber has already threatened to send their black cars onto Market as soon as Waymo is allowed. Maybe they can get away with it, but maybe that's the kind of tone deaf announcement that gets people riled up.
So yeah, just a few is never just a few. If Waymo gets to drive on Market, then everybody is going to be driving on Market.
Fascinating article, Dave, thanks!
Thanks Jeff that means a lot coming from you.