A new trend is cruising through Silicon Valley: parents are sending their kids to school or after-school activities in driverless Waymo cars. Yes, alone! Even though Waymo’s policy says riders must be 18 or older to ride solo, some parents feel these self-driving cars are safer than traditional rideshares.
Why Choose a Driverless Car?
Parents are juggling packed schedules with work, school, and activities, and for many, rideshare services like Uber have become lifesavers. Uber even created a program called Uber Teen, allowing kids aged 13 to 17 to ride alone with safety features designed just for them. But some parents aren’t sold. They’re wary of human drivers and would rather their kids travel in a self-driving car than risk an uncomfortable—or worse—encounter with a stranger.
As Matt, a Phoenix resident with a 15-year-old sister, put it, “I’d rather she rides in a Waymo than with a stranger. I’ve heard about some uncomfortable situations with human drivers.” For families like Matt’s, Waymo’s lack of a driver takes a load off their minds.
Is Driverless Really Safer?
Waymo’s main appeal? No driver, no stranger. Rideshare companies like Uber have made strides with safety features, but past incidents, including a 2019 harassment settlement, still weigh on some parents' minds. With Waymo, there’s no worry about who’s behind the wheel—it’s just the kid and the car.
Professor Andrew Maynard from Arizona State University, an expert in autonomous vehicles, thinks Waymo could one day design a service just for teens. However, he points out that while driverless tech cuts down on one set of risks, there are still challenges to work through, such as ensuring safety if the car encounters an obstacle or is interfered with. These are areas Waymo and other autonomous companies are likely working on to make future rides even safer.
What’s Waymo’s Policy?
Right now, Waymo’s rules are clear: riders need to be 18 or older to go solo. If they catch someone breaking this rule, they can deactivate the account. Still, Waymo is considering options for teens—possibly with parental supervision in the car.
As self-driving cars and tech-driven solutions evolve, it’s likely we’ll see more options for teens to get around safely on their own. For now, though, parents are driving the trend, looking for ways to keep their kids safe, independent, and on the move—one driverless ride at a time.
As self-driving technology continues to evolve, it’s clear that many parents see it as a practical solution for safely getting their kids from one place to another. Whether it’s the absence of a driver or simply the appeal of modern tech, autonomous vehicles are changing the way families think about transportation. For now, driverless rides for kids may be pushing boundaries, but they’re also paving the way for a future where everyone can travel more independently and safely.
If you’re interested in reading more about this growing trend, the full article can be found here.
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