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Paul Smith

Waymo’s robot driver was too scared to take us where we wanted to go

The self-driving taxis are an experience to remember but their post LA-riot nerves rendered them unable to use human logic, and left us stranded.

San Francisco | As a technology journalist on assignment in San Francisco, it was never going to be long until I leapt like a big kid into a Waymo driverless taxi to experience the future, and the first go was every bit as enjoyably surreal as you would imagine.

The repurposed Jaguars with spinning sensors on the roof and sides of the car buzz about everywhere in San Francisco. They are also on the streets of Phoenix, Los Angeles, Austin and Miami, with trials in a few other US cities, and in Tokyo as well.

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Paul Smith edits the technology coverage and has been a leading writer on the sector for 20 years. He covers big tech, business use of tech, the fast-growing Australian tech industry and start-ups, telecommunications and national innovation policy. Connect with Paul on Twitter. Email Paul at psmith@afr.com

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    Original URL: https://www.afr.com/technology/waymos-robot-driver-was-too-scared-to-take-us-where-we-wanted-to-go-20250610-p5m6c8