I travel to San Francisco a few times a year. Recently, I’ve been noticing driverless Jaguars circling the streets. The cars are easy to spot at a distance since they have cameras mounted on top. On a recent visit, I finally decided to give the robotaxis a try. Admittedly, I was a bit nervous, but my curiosity got the best of me, and I wanted to see what riding in a driverless car was like.
When did Robotaxis come to San Francisco? 
Waymo steers itself
(Tamara Gane)
San Francisco’s Waymo Robotaxis launched publicly in 2024, after testing programs in 2019 and 2021. As of 2025, there were approximately 800 of the driverless vehicles deployed in the Bay Area. If you stand on a busy corner for a minute or two, you’re likely to see at least one of them driving by.
How do Waymos work?
Waymos operate similarly to Uber or Lyft. To summon one, I downloaded an app and uploaded a credit card. I’m not sure how often they run this promotion, but I even received a $10 discount since it was my first ride.
The Waymo app was easy to use. I simply typed in my destination and requested a car.
How do robotaxis know you’re the right person? 
The app is similar to Uber or Lyft
(Source: Waymo)
I was traveling with my boyfriend and his parents, and as we stood in front of our hotel, I was slightly concerned that another passenger might try to jump in my car when it pulled up. I needn’t have worried. Waymo robotaxis don’t unlock the doors until you tap a button on the app. This linked the car to my account once it arrived. If I tried to open the wrong Waymo, the doors would remain locked.
What Waymo vehicles are like 
The car was immaculate inside
(Tamara Gane)
Our Jaguar I-Pace EV was white, sleek, and sporty, with an immaculate black leather interior. The driver’s seat is off limits, so my boyfriend took the passenger seat, and I squeezed into the back with his parents. It was a little tight, but no tighter than piling three adults into most back seats. Although the app says the car can fit up to four people at a time, I wouldn’t attempt this unless the riders are extremely petite.
The company is currently testing minivans in San Francisco, which are reportedly going to be available “soon.”
What surprised me about the ride
I always fret about making conversation in a traditional rideshare vehicle. I don’t want to be rude and ignore the driver, but I also don’t want to annoy them with unwanted chitchat. Also, quite frankly, there are times when I’m just not in the mood to talk. Riding in a Waymo was a liberating experience since there was no one in the driver’s seat to talk to.
It took me a moment to put on my seatbelt; I was surprised that Waymo started driving before I was buckled in, although it did beep to gently remind me to put it on.
We could even control the music
(Tamara Gane)
Our Waymo had screens in the front and back that allowed us to connect to our own music or pick curated iHeartRadio stations. We could even press pause or skip songs we didn’t like. As someone who has suffered many Uber rides with unpleasant soundtracks, I appreciated this feature.
Despite the novelty of watching the steering wheel spin on its own, the trip wasn’t much different than any other rideshare. Waymo halted itself at stop lights and allowed pedestrians to cross the street, and even seemed to drive more cautiously when a cyclist approached.
Humans make mistakes and engage in dangerous behaviors like distracted driving, speeding, and running red lights. The longer I rode, the more comfortable I felt knowing robotaxis don’t text and drive or have a few beers before work.
How Waymo rides end
Our robotaxi trip ended much like any other ride. The car found a safe place to park, pulled over, and unlocked the doors once it was safe. A recording even reminded us to collect our phones and personal belongings. Since we didn’t have a driver, there was no need to tip. Still, we couldn’t resist saying goodbye as we walked away.
What cities does Waymo serve?
Waymo is available outside of San Francisco. Currently, the service is available in:
San Francisco Bay Area, CA
Coming soon
According to the website, Waymo is coming soon to: