On the 30th I saw two Waymo driverless cars drive by in a matter of minutes in Knightsbridge , not officially available in London yet so must be a test. Can’t imagine black cab drivers or uber drivers reacting well to this.

by SniffanyandCo

14 comments

  2. Am I the only one who loathes the idea of another American-backed tech company roaming around, taking our data and possibly photos too?

  3. We’ve had them in Ealing. I believe they are driving he whole of London at the moment to map it out.

    But would you trust riding in one? I just feel it will get stuck somewhere and then you have the embarrassment of sitting in the back whilst everyone around you gets mad.

  4. It will be sad to see how many people can’t wait to hand their money over to a tax avoiding American company rather than supporting a British tax payer trying to feed a family.

  5. I think I read there is a year long trial with a driver there just in case.

    It will probably kill Uber first imo, the black cab still has a place for longer but this is more of a direct threat to Uber. In the same way that Uber took away the minicab market and ate into black cabs but didnt fully get rid of them.

    The only benefits of Uber over a black cab are price, ease of availability in certain areas and booking via app. Provided Waymo comes in competitively, is safe and has the volume of cars needed I see ubers market share being taken.

    Either way if this works well it is the end of a lot of driving jobs.

  6. I’m all for this. I know it’s another American tech company taking our money, but maybe when this all works properly it’s safer for riders?

    Long term I hope we can just get in comfortable cars, sit in some business class style seat and get taken wherever we need to go. Imagine how that will change people’s lives.

  7. R/London users try not to cream over more Yank-capitalist-human-replacement tech companies in London challenge: impossible

  8. I’ll never use these creepy vehicles. I’d much prefer the personal service of a London Black Cab. Oh, and paying the driver, helping them keep their job and support themselves or their family in the process. As opposed to paying an invariably greedy US tech company, and being subjected to their surveillance!

  9. For the princely sum of ~£30 a year you can add legal cover to your home insurance that will cover personal injury claims for being hit by a Waymo, among other things.

  10. “So lucky to be rich, Waymos in Knightbridge!”

  11. I’ve been in one in SF. Honestly, I trust these more than I trust most Uber drivers. They drive a lot better in my opinion. Yes there are still some issues when the traffic lights go out but that is nothing an update cannot fix

  12. I am actually wondering there is no revolt yet. Uber killed black cabs, then uber killed uber drivers, now this. They are doomed and road to the bottom

  13. Uber hasn’t managed to kill black cabs, Waymo won’t either.

    Waymo may kill Uber though.

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