The future of urban transportation is here, and it’s taking the form of sleek, autonomous vehicles traveling through city streets. Across the United States, self-driving car companies are racing to revolutionize how we move, promising safer roads, reduced traffic and a new era of mobility. But it’s in San Francisco that this future is suddenly now a reality for thousands.

Waymo, the Google-owned autonomous vehicle pioneer, is available to everyone in the city by the bay. Imagine cruising through the iconic streets of San Francisco without worrying about parking, navigating steep hills or designating a driver after a night out. 

That’s the promise Waymo is offering. But what does this sudden availability of autonomous rides mean for daily commutes, weekend plans and the very fabric of urban life in one of America’s most dynamic cities?

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No more waiting in line: Waymo opens its doors to everyone

Remember when you needed an exclusive invite to ride in a Waymo? Well, those days are now in the rearview mirror. Now, anyone in San Francisco can hail a driverless Waymo ride. Just download the app, and you’re good to go. But here’s the thing. Nearly 300,000 people — that’s more than a quarter of San Francisco’s population — had already signed up on Waymo’s waiting list. Talk about pent-up demand. It seems like everyone wanted to try out the self-driving robotaxi service.

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Waymo app and autonomous vehicle  (Waymo)

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More than just a ride: The impact on San Francisco

Waymo isn’t just changing how people get around. It’s potentially reshaping the city’s social and economic landscape. Did you know that about 30% of Waymo rides in San Francisco are to local businesses? That’s a potential boost for the local economy right there.

And get this. Over half of Waymo riders surveyed said they’ve used the service for medical appointments. Plus, 36% use it to connect to other forms of transit like BART or Muni. It’s not just a taxi service; it’s becoming an integral part of the city’s transportation ecosystem.

Oh, and for the eco-conscious among us, here’s a fun fact. Waymo’s fleet is all-electric and uses 100% renewable energy from the city’s CleanPowerSF program. It claims to have helped curb carbon emissions by an estimated 570,000 kilograms since August 2023.

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Waymo autonomous vehicle at EV charging station  (Waymo)

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Not just a San Francisco thing

Waymo isn’t just cruising the famously steep hills of San Francisco. It’s also got wheels on the ground in the sunny streets of Los Angeles and the desert landscapes of Phoenix. And guess what? Austin, Texas, you’re next on the list. Looks like the robotaxi revolution is spreading faster than you can say “autonomous vehicle.”

Waymo autonomous vehicle on the streets of San Francisco  (Waymo)

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Safety first: Waymo’s bold claims

Now, I know what you’re thinking. “Is it safe?” Well, Waymo sure thinks so. It boasts about its “unparalleled” safety record, claiming it’s even safer than human drivers. With over 20 million miles logged since 2009, it’s got some serious road cred.

But it’s not just talk. Waymo cites statistics suggesting its driverless cars are safer than human-operated vehicles. It claims to have been involved in 17 fewer crashes with injuries and 12 fewer police-reportable crashes compared to human drivers over 3.8-plus million rider-only miles in San Francisco.

Waymo autonomous vehicle  (Waymo)

But hold on, It’s not all smooth driving

Before you get too excited and toss your driver’s license in the shredder, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) has opened an investigation into Waymo. It’s looking into 22 incidents involving the self-driving tech. We’re talking about collisions with objects, parked cars and some traffic control hiccups. Yikes.

The NHTSA’s probe covers 444 of Waymo’s vehicles. That’s a lot of robots under the microscope. It’s a reminder that even as we race toward a driverless future, there are still some speed bumps to overcome.

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Waymo app and autonomous vehicle (Waymo)

The big picture: Robotaxis taking over?

It’s not just Waymo in the spotlight. Other companies like Zoox, owned by Amazon, are also under the NHTSA’s microscope. Even big names like Ford and Tesla are feeling the heat as autonomous technology becomes more widespread. Meanwhile, GM’s Cruise is planning a comeback after suspending its service due to safety concerns.

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Waymo autonomous vehicle  (Waymo)

Kurt’s key takeaways

On one hand, the idea of hopping into a car without a driver could mean safer roads, less traffic and more accessibility for those who can’t drive. But, on the other hand, are we ready to trust our lives to algorithms and sensors? The NHTSA investigation shows there are still kinks to work out. And let’s not forget the potential impact on jobs in the transportation sector. It’s not just about cool tech; it’s about how it affects real people’s livelihoods. One thing’s for sure. The future of getting from point A to point B is changing rapidly. Whether you’re excited or skeptical, it looks like robotaxis are here to stay.

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DENVER — Ezequiel Tovar homered for a third straight game, hitting a tie-breaking two-run drive in the fifth inning, and the Colorado Rockies beat the San Francisco Giants 4-3 on Saturday night.

Kyle Freeland (2-3) went six innings and allowed three runs — two earned — on five hits in a fifth consecutive quality start since being reinstated from the injured list June 23 after missing two months due to a left elbow strain. He struck out four and walked one to win back-to-back decisions for the first time this season.

Tyler Fitzgerald, batting ninth in the order, doubled and homered to drive in two runs for the Giants. Wilmer Flores had a run-scoring double after Matt Chapman reached with two outs in the top of the sixth on shortstop Tovar’s fielding error.

Logan Webb was coming off his worst start of the season. He had matched a career-high when he allowed seven runs in five innings in a 10-6 loss to Toronto on July 10.

Webb (7-8) kept the Rockies in check until Sam Hilliard singled to start the fifth. One out later, Tovar connected for his 16th home run of the season, sending Webb’s offering over the left field fence. Webb went six innings and allowed four runs on eight hits. He walked four and struck out four.

Fitzgerald homered off Freeland in the third and doubled home Mike Yastrzemski, aboard with a triple, in the fifth.

Nick Mears pitched two hitless innings in relief, starting his outing by striking out four in a row, and Victor Vodnik pitched a hitless ninth for his third save.

TRAINER’S ROOM

Giants: LHP Robbie Ray pitched impressively in his latest rehab outing and manager Bob Melvin said there’s a “good chance” the 2021 AL Cy Young Award winner could make his Giants’ debut during San Francisco’s four-game series at the Los Angeles Dodgers that begins Monday. Melvin described Ray’s impending return as a “big deal.” The Giants acquired Ray in an offseason trade with Seattle. He’s bidding to make his first appearance since undergoing reconstructive surgery on his pitching elbow in early May 2023. Ray pitched 5 1/3 scoreless innings for Triple-A Sacramento on Friday night, allowing one hit. He struck out seven and walked two.

Rockies: C Elías Díaz left the game with right calf tightness and was replaced in the third inning by C Jacob Stallings. INF-OF Kris Bryant was slated to make his second rehab start Saturday night as a designated hitter for Triple-A Albuquerque after going 0-3 in his initial appearance on Friday night. Bryant, sidelined by a left rib contusion since early June, is expected to play for Albuquerque again on Sunday. It’s anticipated he’ll be re-evaluated after the weekend and could possibly rejoin the Rockies next week.

UP NEXT

Rockies LHP Ryan Feltner (1-9, 5.36 ERA) will be looking to snap an eight-game losing streak when he takes the mound in Sunday’s series finale against the Giants, who are scheduled to start RHP Hayden Birdsong (1-0, 3.72 ERA).

The San Francisco Giants have a short window to prove they should not be sellers at the upcoming trade deadline, and instead, add some pieces to help push them towards the playoffs.

Based on how they have played so far this year, that’s a tough pitch.

Coming out of the All-Star break, they sit with a 47-50 record and are on the outside of the playoff picture looking in, but with the Wild Card race so tight, they are just three games back from the final spot.

Farhan Zaidi has some pressure on him to make the postseason, suggesting he is going to avoid selling at all costs, but if they aren’t able to put together a good showing during the next 10 days, then he might be forced to start trading away some pieces.

That will be determined by what happens on the field, but if the front office is confident this group can turn things around and contend for a spot in the playoffs, then they could look to a major upgrade at first base.

According to MLB insider Jon Morosi, the Tampa Bay Rays “will listen” to offers on packages surrounding their star first baseman Yandy Diaz as it looks like they will begin to start selling.

The one-time All-Star would be a huge addition for the Giants.

Even though he’s having a down year with a .273/.329/.396 slash line and 109 OPS+ compared to his past performances, Diaz would be a massive upgrade in the platoon split if he replaced Wilmer Flores.

He would pair perfectly with the left-handed hitting LaMonte Wade Jr., who is an on-base machine. Having these two in the mix would give this lineup a boost no matter if a lefty or righty is on the mound.

There has been no information about what it might cost to acquire the 2023 Batting Champion, but with him not scheduled to hit free agency until 2027, with a club option being available for 2026, then there’s a chance any deal would be pricey.

Still, this is the type of acquisition that makes sense for San Francisco.

They would bring in someone who is cost-controlled compared to other top hitters at his position, giving them an established player at a spot where there isn’t a star prospect ready to take over.