Waymo is winning in San Francisco

Waymo, a self-driving car service, has captured 27% of San Francisco's rideshare market in just 20 months, according to research by Bond venture capital firm. Waymo's Co-CEO Dmitri Dolgov believes this rapid progress proves that autonomy can work at scale and be a viable product. As a frequent Waymo user, I've found that the experience is often worth the extra cost, which can be up to a third more than Uber, depending on demand. Waymo rides offer a consistent experience, with the same Jaguar SUV, neutral smell, and mellow music, unlike Uber or taxi services, which can vary greatly. Riders may also feel more in a self-driving car, as they have control over the music and don't feel judged. Additionally, Waymo rides have been found to be safer than human-driven cars, with a significant reduction in crashes involving injuries among pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists. While Waymo may have captured a quarter of the market in San Francisco due to the city's tech-savviness, the differences between self-driving and human-driven experiences are becoming clearer to consumers, and some favor Waymo. Waymo currently operates in several cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin, and has covered over 33 million miles.