Waymo Launches Awareness Campaign for Robotic Cars

Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo self-driving car unit is partnering with AAA and several other organizations on a campaign to increase awareness about autonomous vehicles.

Dubbed “Let’s Talk Self-Driving,” the program aims to educate people about the potential safety benefits and limitations of autonomous vehicles. The group notes that more than two-thirds of people surveyed by AAA expressed some concerns about riding in such vehicles.

The group includes AAA affiliates in California, Nevada and Utah; Mothers Against Drunk Driving; The National Safety Council; and The Foundation for Blind Children. A website includes videos, frequently asked questions about self-driving cars, information about the enabling technology and testimonials from passengers in test vehicles.

AAA, which formed an autonomous vehicle team two years ago, is focusing its efforts on programs for children. The U.S. auto club partnered with Waymo to develop a lesson plan that elementary school teachers can use to teach students about self-driving cars and encourage them to think about ways to make driving safer.

AAA’s long-running School Safety Patrol program also recently brought a group of students to a Waymo test facility to watch autonomous vehicles in action.