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Waymo Prepares to Let the Public Ride in Truly Driverless Cars

Waymo LLC says it will begin in December to allow members of the general public to ride in vehicles equipped with its autonomous-driving technology—and no one in the driver’s seat.

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Waymo LLC says it will begin in December to allow members of the general public to ride in vehicles equipped with its autonomous-driving technology—and no one in the driver’s seat.

The company has been conducting such tests in Phoenix for at least a month with its own employees riding in second-row seats. Waymo CEO John Krafcik told reporters a week ago the company was “really close” to allowing the general public on board automated vehicles that have no backup driver. Arizona is one of few places that permits such tests.

Waymo is expected to restrict the rides to a specific area of Phoenix where it has been testing its technology in Chrysler Pacifica minivans for several months. A Waymo employee in a rear seat will ride with passengers initially. Everyone on board will be able to press a button to stop the vehicle, according to the company.

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