Google is to begin testing its autonomous vehicles with members of the public in the USA. Residents in Phoenix, Arizona, are invited to sign up to use Waymo vehicles as part of an early rider service, which will include an additional 500 customized Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans which are being added to the 100 which were introduced as part of the Waymo fleet earlier this year.
These vehicles have already been tested on public roads by employees and contractors. The latest trials will enable the company to obtain data on how people experience and use self-driving vehicles.
Waymo is looking for participants from a range of backgrounds with different transportation needs. Initial users will be able to book minivans using a mobile app.
“We’re at the point when it’s really important to find how real people, outside the Google environment, will use this technology. Our goal is that they will use this for all their transportation needs,” said John Krafcik, Waymo CEO.
May 9, 2017
