Waymo Orlando

[gottalovepluto]

So Waymo has launched in Orlando in select areas link

Looks like Universal is in range and SeaWorld. MCO & WDW are not. Idk if all of UOR is- someone with local knowledge of Orlando or better map skills will have to chime in!

 

[Mikey15]

I preface this by saying how much I think Waymo is not really there yet, and I would not be using it myself…

This is what I was able to find for a service area map. It does include the entire Universal / Orlando Eye / convention center area, and it looks like Sea World, Aquatica, and Discovery Cove which are south of 528/Beachline Expressway and west of I-Drive. Looks like it covers some resort areas between there and the Orlando Vineland Premium Outlets.

It might actually cut off right at Hotel Plaza Blvd on the southwest side of this map, without going onto WDW property. Would be interesting to see if it’d take you to a “Good Neighbor” hotel or kick you at the curb of Apopka Vineland Rd (535).

 

[Mle8308]

I've seen them driving in the Universal area, sometimes staged in the hotel parking lots along Kirkman.

 

[EACarlson]

Depending on pricing I would have given them a shot from my hotel along Kirkman Rd to Epic. I don't think I would trust a Waymo at the highway speeds necessary from MCO.

 

[gottalovepluto]

Depending on pricing I would have given them a shot from my hotel along Kirkman Rd to Epic. I don't think I would trust a Waymo at the highway speeds necessary from MCO.

From what I was reading Waymo isn't doing freeways yet in Orlando, they work up to that once they start in a city.

 

[CarolynFH]

From what I was reading Waymo isn't doing freeways yet in Orlando, they work up to that once they start in a city.

Yes, we had family members use Waymo in Austin, TX, a few weeks ago. They said the Waymos weren't driving on the Interstate or freeways yet.

 

[hardcorestitch]

So Waymo has launched in Orlando in select areas link

Looks like Universal is in range and SeaWorld. MCO & WDW are not. Idk if all of UOR is- someone with local knowledge of Orlando or better map skills will have to chime in!

No way I’m riding in a driverless car… I’ll stick to my traditional transport with CHARACTER
Waymo has no character…

 

[_19disnA]

Would never ride in a driver-less taxi. Despite all of their claims/hype, the ability to be fully self-driving in ALL conditions/areas and not have a human in the driver's seat is still a work-in-progress. No interest in being a test subject is their ongoing development efforts. The reason they only offer rides in 'select areas' is because the know the vehicle has limitations. Will be interesting to see how the lawsuits playout the first time one of their vehicles is involved in any sort of accident.

 

[Pyxie]

Would never ride in a driver-less taxi. Despite all of their claims/hype, the ability to be fully self-driving in ALL conditions/areas and not have a human in the driver's seat is still a work-in-progress. No interest in being a test subject is their ongoing development efforts. The reason they only offer rides in 'select areas' is because the know the vehicle has limitations. Will be interesting to see how the lawsuits playout the first time one of their vehicles is involved in any sort of accident.

Waymo is not self driving really. They are being driven remotely by someone in another location.

Which in a lot of ways, I think is actually WORSE lol.

But they don't really actively promote what they truly are.

 

[_19disnA]

Yes, their website is somewhat vague on that matter and they make is SOUND like they are better than everyone else with the technology they are using. I still am not clear on their business model since they are really just another taxi cab company. When that became glamorous, I have no idea. The cost to develop/operate/maintain these vehicles has to be a huge cost. Not having someone physically in the driver seat is perhaps a savings, but hard to see how one offsets the others and how they intend to run a profitable business.

Saw a couple of their vehicles last time we were in Vegas, all were on city streets near one of the large casinos. Never was close enough to them to actually see the inside of the vehicle.