You may have seen blue Waymo vehicles driving around the Valley recently. That’s because Waymo is preparing to let some public riders try its new Ojai vehicles in Phoenix and a few other cities.
“We’ve certainly been testing the new Ojai vehicles around Phoenix for a good while now throughout the last year or so,” Chris Bonelli, product communications manager at Waymo, told KTAR News 92.3 FM last week. “What we are very excited to share is that in the coming weeks, the first public riders in Phoenix will begin to get access to take rides in these fully autonomous Ojai vehicles.”
At first, only select riders in Phoenix, San Francisco and Los Angeles will be able to take rides in the Ojai vehicles. Rides will be free during this initial phase as Waymo collects rider feedback.
“I don’t have an exact date to share, but in the coming weeks, our riders will be notified via email and as well as in the app when it is their turn to ride. During this initial phase, rides will be free,” Bonelli said. “After the initial period of free rides with those select riders, we will certainly transition later this year to offer the Ojai vehicle to anyone who hails a Waymo ride in Phoenix as well as to transition to a commercial paid service.”
What makes Waymo’s new Ojai vehicles different?
Bonelli said the Ojai vehicles will offer a ride experience similar to other Waymo vehicles, but with more space and easier access.
“With the very wide, elevator-like doors, anyone can step in easily with a very low step-in height, grab handles, really just a very cavernous way for people to get in the vehicle, have space for themselves, their friends, their luggage, whatever they may need,” Bonelli explained.
Other accessible features include a handle integrated into the seat for extra support when entering or exiting, screen-reader compatibility and embedded braille.
Those who want to try the Ojai vehicles are encouraged to open the Waymo app and sign up as a Trusted Tester.
The new option comes as Waymo has recently faced issues affecting Phoenix riders. The autonomous ride-hailing company temporarily halted freeway service in metro Phoenix and several other cities because of technical issues.
KTAR News 92.3 FM’s Heidi Hommel contributed to this report.
