Calay News
On the busy streets of San Francisco, attorney Katherine Allen and resident Isaac Smith have experienced firsthand the future of autonomous driving. Allen has been voluntarily participating in Waymo’s autonomous taxi trial since late 2021, initially accompanied by a backup driver. However, one night, she found herself alone in the vehicle, a white Jaguar, which filled her with excitement and nervousness. Despite her initial apprehension, the experience became startlingly normal as the car weaved through city traffic.
The city of San Francisco has become home to two fully operational fleets of autonomous vehicles, Waymo and Cruise, owned by General Motors. The approval to operate 24/7 has positioned the city as an epicenter for autonomous driving technology, with the hope that this experience will fuel the expansion of these fleets nationwide.
Although Smith’s experience with Cruise resulted in a somewhat unusual journey due to unexplained detours, his reaction was positive, describing autonomous driving as “ghostly” and “nice. The ability to answer quizzes on the vehicle’s screen also adds to the unique aspect of the experience.
However, the road to full acceptance is not without its challenges. Incidents have varied, from autonomous vehicles stopped on the road to collisions. Despite criticism and challenges from environmentalists, people with disabilities, and labor unions, the excitement for autonomous driving persists. Waymo, for example, has a waiting list of more than 100,000 people.
Ultimately, the acceptance and adoption of autonomous vehicles will depend on price, efficiency, and trust in this new form of transportation. Meanwhile, San Francisco remains at the forefront of this driving revolution.
