Your essential Charlotte guide to using Waymo driverless taxis around uptown
Driverless cars are getting closer to welcoming human passengers in uptown Charlotte as Waymo, a robotaxi service begins its local rollout.
The expansion was announced in late February, following sightings of a dozen white Waymo Jaguars in a gravel lot near Bank of America Stadium. While the initial launch is focused on a specific area around uptown, Waymo officials say both the fleet size and the service area will gradually expand over the coming months.
Specific routes were not provided, and Waymo has not yet said when it will begin accepting passengers. The company began testing its taxis on Charlotte roads in late February.
The process starts with human-driven trips, then shifts to self-driving with a specialist in the driver’s seat, and then to fully driverless rides.
The testing phase hasn’t been without its hurdles. Waymo reported a minor “hiccup” involving an an accident on the first day of testing when there was also a human supervisor in the car. A Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department report confirmed that the Feb. 25 hit-and-run was not the autonomous vehicle’s fault.
Despite some safety concerns from some residents, the service has been embraced by state and city officials alike as a welcome addition to Charlotte’s transit landscape.
Here’s what to expect when you climb into a Waymo.
How do I order a Waymo
Rides can be ordered through the Waymo app available through Apple or Google Play.
How much does Waymo cost, and when can I ride it?
Waymo operates 24/7, providing an alternative to traditional rideshares. Fares are calculated based on the most direct route, though pricing may fluctuate during high-demand periods, such as weekends or late nights. According to Google, the average cost of a Waymo trip is approximately $20.
Who can ride a Waymo
The fleet consists of all-electric Jaguar I-PACE vehicles, which can accommodate up to four passengers. While the driver’s seat remains off-limits, the rest of the cabin is available for customers.
Age requirements: Rider must be at least 18 years old to use the service. Passengers 17 and under can ride as guests Passengers must be at least 8 years old to sit in the front seat. Children under 8 require a car seat, which must be installed in the back.
Waymo started a service for teens ages 14 to 17 in Phoenix, which can be connected to their parent’s account. The company did not provide information about the teen service coming to Charlotte during its February announcement.
What’s inside a Waymo taxi
In-car tech: Riders can use the interactive passenger display to control the climate or browse iHeartRadio stations. For a more personalized experience, people may sync Spotify or YouTube Music accounts to the car’s audio system.
Cargo: The trunk is available for luggage or groceries, with a weight limit of 200 pounds.
Waymo accessibility
Waymo has integrated several features to ensure the service is inclusive. The app supports screen readers for blind or low-vision riders, while the in-car displays provide visual text and messaging for those who are deaf or hard of hearing.
For riders requiring a wheelchair-accessible vehicle, Waymo offers a specialized service through the app that uses human drivers to assist with entry and exit.
Safety features in Waymo robotaxis
To help ensure passenger safety and vehicle cleanliness, the interior is equipped with cameras and microphones. Cameras help Waymo find lost items or respond to emergencies, while microphones are activated only during active support calls or when manually triggered by the customer.
How Waymo driverless car technology works
The “driver” is an AI system that follows a “Sense, Solve, Go” workflow. Using external sensors and cameras, the software creates a 3D map of the vehicle’s surroundings.
These sensors provide a 360-degree view, allowing the car to identify pedestrians and traffic signs from up to half a mile away. The onboard radar measures the speed and direction of nearby objects, helping the vehicle navigate safely through various weather conditions.
Waymo’s growing footprint in Charlotte
Waymo is owned by Google’s parent company, Alphabet. What began in 2009 as the Google Self-Driving Car Project has grown into a massive national operation.
Since becoming a standalone subsidiary under Alphabet in 2016, Waymo has expanded to a number of cities.
Beyond Charlotte, Waymo is available through Uber in Austin and Atlanta, with further expansions underway in Houston, Miami, Boston and several other cities. As of December, the company reported providing more than 450,000 rides per week nationwide.
For the latest service-area maps and local news, visit waymo.com/updates.
