[{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BlogPosting","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/waymo-commence-self-drive-testing-public\/#BlogPosting","mainEntityOfPage":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/waymo-commence-self-drive-testing-public\/","headline":"Waymo to Commence Self-Drive Testing with the Public","name":"Waymo to Commence Self-Drive Testing with the Public","description":"Reading about ever-advancing autonomous car technology is one thing, but actually being able to let an autonomous vehicle self-drive you is a whole different ball game. Google is now offering the chance for a few lucky families to have access to a self-drive car \u2013 as long as you are in the Phoenix, Arizona area. The Google self-drive car project became Waymo in 2016, following the first toe in the water under the Google moniker way back in 2009. Alphabet, […]","datePublished":"2017-04-28","dateModified":"2017-05-02","author":{"@type":"Person","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/#Person","name":"Isabelle Lawrence","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/author\/isabelle-lawrence\/","identifier":30,"description":"Max Wheeler is a leading motoring journalist and classic car specialist at Smart Motoring, renowned for his sharp insight and infectious passion for all things automotive. With years of experience covering motoring news, supercars, and the enduring legacy of classic cars, Max brings stories to life with style and authority. Whether it\u2019s the roar of a Lamborghini, the elegance of an Aston Martin DB5, or the cultural impact of vintage motoring icons, he delivers expert commentary that inspires enthusiasts and collectors alike. Dedicated to celebrating the heritage and future of driving, Max Wheeler is your trusted voice for classic car news and beyond.","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","url":"https:\/\/secure.gravatar.com\/avatar\/8d331506e3c530b5ec4930c30a01ed8cc29b0537227573ae5da98f559e681401?s=96&d=mm&r=g","height":96,"width":96}},"publisher":{"@type":"Organization","name":"Smart Motoring","logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2024\/10\/smart-motoring_news_logo_g-e1765846726493.webp","width":600,"height":60}},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","@id":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/waymo-chrysler-pacifica-feature.jpg","url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2017\/04\/waymo-chrysler-pacifica-feature.jpg","height":520,"width":1200},"url":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/waymo-commence-self-drive-testing-public\/","about":["BLOG"],"wordCount":479,"keywords":["Autonomous cars","Chrysler","Chrysler Pacifica","google","self driving cars","Waymo","Waymo Chrysler Pacifica"],"articleBody":"Reading about ever-advancing autonomous car technology is one thing, but actually being able to let an autonomous vehicle self-drive you is a whole different ball game. Google is now offering the chance for a few lucky families to have access to a self-drive car \u2013 as long as you are in the Phoenix, Arizona area.The Google self-drive car project became Waymo in 2016, following the first toe in the water under the Google moniker way back in 2009. Alphabet, Google\u2019s parent company, had wisely decided that to progress the self-drive project forward, it would be a good idea to work in collaboration with established motor manufacturers, rather than as competition and building autonomous vehicles themselves.The Google spin off company has announced that it will provide 500 Chrysler Pacifica vans for the ground-breaking scheme. The Pacifica is a hybrid minivan that Waymo has had built on a mass production platform with integrated hardware designed for the purpose of self-driving. The Pacifica has undergone rigorous testing, including 200 hours of extreme weather testing and being put through its paces on Waymo\u2019s California based test track.The company says that by joining the early rider self-drive programme in the metropolitan areas of Phoenix (Tempe, Mesa, Chandler and Gilbert), that users will be able to use the automobiles to visit places that would be frequently visited on a day-to-day basis, such as work, school and the like. As a participant in the programme users will be required to give detailed feedback to the Waymo team.How to get involvedTo qualify, applicants need to be over 18 – but all qualifying family members of a successful applicant will then be eligible to join the programme. Waymo hopes to pass \u2018hundreds\u2019 of applications through to activation.The vehicles being used are not just limited to the Chrysler hybrid Pacifica van, as the scheme will also include the Lexus RX450h, which was added to the Google driverless fleet in 2012 and commenced freeway tests that year with various Google employees.To counteract any safety fears that applicants might have, Waymo point out that since 2009 more than 3 million miles have been self-driven, while the software has undergone the equivalent of 1 billion miles in testing. You may remember some sensational tabloid reports of a Google self-drive Lexus being involved in a crash last September, although this was the fault of a red light jumping automobile that crashed into the side of the Lexus; I can\u2019t think of a single way such an accident could be avoided, but it\u2019s reassuring I\u2019m sure for potential participants to see how many hours have gone into testing so far.The programme is already underway, and you can read about the first users on the Waymo website. We very much look forward to the results, as self-drive technology continues to advance us ever nearer to living with autonomous vehicles on our streets."},{"@context":"https:\/\/schema.org\/","@type":"BreadcrumbList","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","position":1,"name":"Blog","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/#breadcrumbitem"},{"@type":"ListItem","position":2,"name":"Waymo to Commence Self-Drive Testing with the Public","item":"https:\/\/smart-motoring.com\/blog\/waymo-commence-self-drive-testing-public\/#breadcrumbitem"}]}]