Waymo has begun to offer teenage accounts for families in Phoenix as it works to expand its user base and enter young riders in autonomous life.
Waymo’s teenage accounts will be similar to those offered by Uber, which also allows parents to make adolescent accounts in Phoenix and other cities across the country. Parents in Metro Phoenix can link a profile to their Waymo One accounts for teenagers aged 14 to 17 years. The young people will then be able to order their own rides and share a trip with parents.
Opening autonomous vehicles to ferry children could bring calm to some parents who could otherwise sway into inserting their child into a car alone with another adult, though riding-haired companies like Uber say they pair young people with highly rated, safe drivers. And in states like California, where there are riding-hairy drivers who transport children required to fingerAVs could remove some red tape.
That is, if parents rely on the safety of an AI-driven car.
Other concerns about safety come to mind when they imagine teenagers riding in cars alone. While Uber and Lyft say they train their drivers to ascertain human trafficking, sexual abusers could Skip the system transport minors.
Techcrunch asked Waymo how it is capable of confirming that the teenager who is attached to the adult account, is part of that family, and what steps the company do if other riders enter the vehicle with the teen.
Waymo spokesman did not respond to the first survey. He said security is Waymo’s top priority, as evidenced by the specially trained support agents available to help children during their 24/7 rides, which may reach parents for further support if needed.
In a press release, Waymo emphasized that providing teenagers with a safer transport mode with robotaxis would help deal with the higher risk of traffic accidents faced with teens.
While Waymo begins in Phoenix, the company said it will expand teen accounts to cities outside California wherever the Waymo -App is available. In addition to Los -English and the Bay area, WayMo operates a robotaxi commercial service with the Uber -App in Austin And Atlantaand plans to launch in Miami This year and Washington, DCin 2026.
A spokesman said Waymo may consider enable access to young people through “online partners” as Uber in the future.
