Google Waymo will let teens ride solo, betting parents trust its robotaxis
advertisementMuch like Uber's earlier decision to allow teenagers to use its service independently, Waymo's teen accounts come equipped with several safeguards. Parents can invite their teenagers to join the programme via their own Waymo One account, ensuring both accounts are linked. Teens are also able to share their real-time location with their parents during rides, and "specially trained" remote operators are on standby to assist during the trips. This layered approach aims to provide peace of mind to parents, allowing them to monitor and ensure the safety of their children while they utilise Waymo's services. The service, which has been in testing for months, is now being rolled out across Phoenix, although plans for expansion to other markets remain unclear.Waymo's timing could prove advantageous given the current trends in teen transportation habits. Studies have indicated a decline in the number of teenagers obtaining driver's licences, with many opting for alternatives like public transport, ride-hailing services such as Uber and Lyft, or other shared mobility options. This generational shift is something Waymo is keen to tap into, as parents increasingly look for convenient and reliable transport solutions for their teenagers. However, the risks involved remain pertinent. Waymo's vehicles occasionally struggle with certain traffic patterns and have been involved in minor accidents. Despite this, the company argues that its autonomous cars perform better in avoiding crashes than human drivers, underscoring the importance of its remote operators in ensuring safety for younger passengers.
The rollout of teen accounts follows earlier reports by security researcher Jane Manchun Wong, who highlighted Waymo's experiments with this feature. Wong's findings, which also uncovered Waymo's "tipping" donation feature, were part of a broader discovery of Waymo's plans. Last year, Waymo conducted a survey to determine customer preferences for teen accounts, highlighting benefits such as the absence of strangers in vehicles, reduced risk of distracted driving, and flexible scheduling. Although there were suggestions for aesthetic upgrades like snacks or karaoke within the cars, these features did not make it into the final product.
Waymo's introduction of teen accounts is a clear indication of the company's ambition to broaden its customer base and adapt to modern transportation needs. By offering a service tailored to teenagers and their parents, Waymo is aligning itself with contemporary transport trends and addressing the growing demand for flexible, safe, and parent-supervised travel options. As the service becomes more established in Phoenix, it could set a precedent for similar features in other Waymo markets, depending on its success and acceptance among local families.- Ends
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