Riding in a Waymo Driverless Taxi: A Surprisingly Pleasant Experience

A motorsports enthusiast overcomes his trepidation and finds Waymo's autonomous taxi service to be clean, safe, and convenient.

Feb. 4, 2026 at 5:39pm

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Jim Clash, a seasoned motorsports enthusiast, recently took a ride in a Waymo driverless taxi in San Francisco. Despite initial misgivings, Clash found the experience to be surprisingly pleasant, with the vehicle navigating the hilly streets cautiously and safely. Clash noted advantages such as the vehicle's cleanliness and the ability for female passengers to feel safer compared to traditional taxis or rideshares. While Clash had some lingering concerns about potential accidents or hacking, he came away impressed with Waymo's technology and service.

Why it matters

Waymo's autonomous vehicle technology is a significant development in the future of transportation, offering potential benefits in terms of safety, convenience, and accessibility. As Waymo expands to more cities, this firsthand account provides insights into how the driverless taxi experience is being received by consumers.

The details

Clash joined his friend, who had been using Waymo's service for over a year, on a ride through the crowded, hilly streets of San Francisco. At first, Clash couldn't take his eyes off the steering wheel moving on its own, but he soon became comfortable with the vehicle's cautious navigation. Clash noted advantages such as the cleanliness of the Waymo cars, the ability for female passengers to feel safer, and the responsive customer service. While Clash had some lingering concerns about potential accidents or hacking, he was overall impressed with Waymo's technology and service.

  • Clash took the Waymo ride on January 21, 2026.
  • Waymo has been operating in major metropolitan areas since at least 2024.

The players

Waymo

An American autonomous driving company and a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company.

Jim Clash

A motorsports enthusiast who recently experienced a ride in a Waymo driverless taxi.

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What they’re saying

“At first, I couldn't take my eyes off of a steering wheel moving without the hands of a driver. But I assured myself that we were traveling slow enough - less than 25 mph - that an accident with our seatbelts on would be survivable.”

— Jim Clash (Forbes)

“As a woman, she feels safer than in regular taxis or Ubers because a driverless car cannot kidnap her or say vulgar things.”

— Jim Clash's friend (Forbes)

What’s next

Waymo is slated to expand its driverless taxi service to 20 more cities, including Tokyo and London, as the company has recently received a $16 billion investment in its parent company, Alphabet.

The takeaway

Waymo's autonomous vehicle technology is proving to be a viable and appealing transportation option, offering benefits such as safety, cleanliness, and convenience that are resonating with consumers. As the service expands to more cities, it will be interesting to see how the public's perception and adoption of driverless taxis evolves.