What Is Waymo One?

What you need to know to take a Waymo One autonomous taxi ride in select cities.

Doug Newcomb | 

Nov 15, 2024 | 3 min read

Jaguar

Jaguar

How to Hail an Autonomous Taxi

As with Uber and Lyft, Waymo riders use an app to choose a starting point and destination within the Waymo One service area. Waymo One passengers can follow the progress of their autonomous cab on a map within the app and are alerted when their ride is ready.

When the Waymo One vehicle arrives, passengers unlock the doors with the app, get seated, and buckle their seat belts. A passenger then pushes a start-ride icon on a touchscreen. This screen also allows passengers to view the route and progress of the ride.

Jaguar

Who Can Ride

Waymo One uses the all-electric Jaguar I-Pace for its service and up to four passengers at a time can ride in the vehicle, with three in back and one in front. If there is a Waymo One specialist present in the car for whatever reason, however, the maximum number of passengers is three.

The front passenger seat is only available to riders over the age of 8 years old, and riders in front can interact with a passenger screen, but Waymo asks that they don't touch any other controls in the car. When traveling with small children, riders are required to bring and install their own car seat. Children 17 years old and younger can only ride with an adult, who must be in the car during the entire trip.

In addition to passengers, Waymo One says its Jaguar I-Pace autonomous taxi's rear cargo area can accommodate up to 200 pounds of luggage and fit up to three small pieces of carry-on luggage, a folded double stroller, or a foldable wheelchair.

The rear liftgate is unlocked using the Waymo One app, opened by pressing a button above the license plate and closed by pressing a button on the inner liftgate lid. Upon reaching a destination, the liftgate automatically opens once riders exit the vehicle.

Jaguar

The Cost to Ride in a Robo-Taxi

Waymo One doesn't publish exact pricing, but its website states that the cost of each trip is based on distance and length and a minimum is charged for all trips. Fares are based on the most direct route, so even if a Waymo vehicle is rerouted the initially quoted trip cost won't change.

Trip costs vary, however, depending on the time and/or level of demand when the ride is requested. The fare can change if a trip is canceled, the destination is changed, the interior is dirtied or damaged by passengers, or the ride is subject to tolls and surcharges, such as an airport access fee.

In a recent Waymo Reddit thread, a rider posted that a 0.8-mile, 7-minute ride in San Francisco cost $10.63, and a 1.2-mile, 11-minute ride ran $12.77. Several Reddit commenters noted that the price is more expensive than Uber in their experience, but that there's also no need to tip Waymo's robot driver.

Doug Newcomb

Doug Newcomb has been covering the automotive industry for more than three decades and has tested more than 1,000 vehicles. He enjoys using his experience and insight to help people pick the right vehicle and better understand various automotive features and technology, especially as cars have become much more complex. When he's not driving or writing, Doug can usually be found on or near the water in his hometown of Hood River, Oregon.