Blind Waymo Users Revel in the Joy of Riding Alone
The New York Times • • business
Key Points:
- Ruben Brunt, who is blind due to a rare eye disorder, experiences newfound independence by riding in Waymo's self-driving cars in San Francisco, a city where these autonomous vehicles have been operating for two years.
- Waymo's autonomous vehicle fleet, operating hubs in San Francisco and Los Angeles, has faced challenges including rider safety incidents and technical issues, yet continues to provide unique benefits for visually impaired users.
- For blind and partially sighted individuals like Sarah Funes, Waymo's robot taxis offer a rare chance for solitude and control during travel, eliminating the need for interaction with other people.
- California, home to the largest population of blind people in the U.S., has seen autonomous vehicles create unexpected joy and independence for those who cannot drive themselves.