NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WTVF) — Self-driving cars are officially picking up passengers in Nashville since Waymo launched its first public rides in the city this week.
The company is starting with a 60-square-mile service area. This includes Lower Broadway, 12 South, Midtown and East Nashville.
The vehicles operate completely on their own. Waymo said they train the cars to anticipate traffic moves and know exactly how to react if another vehicle cuts in. Each car instantly shares what it learns with the rest of the fleet.
While opinions differ on the matter, thousands have already signed up for the service.
NewsChannel 5 Investigative Reporter Levi Ismail got to take a ride in one and spoke to a Waymo spokesperson who shared some words for those hesitant to get on board.
"We have 500,000 trips a week across cities we serve, so think about that, that's a lot of trips where it all goes right, and we're always safely delivering our passengers," a Waymo spokesperson said.
The company is inviting new riders on a rolling basis as Waymo scales its operations. You can download the Waymo app right now to join the waitlist.
As of right now, Waymo does not go on interstates. Testing is also still in process at Nashville International Airport, but they hope to add that destination in the future.
Want to see exactly how these autonomous vehicles navigate busy Nashville traffic? Watch the video above to see the self-driving cars in action. Want to share your experience or concerns about sharing the road with Waymo? Email us at Eric.Pointer@Newschannel5.com to share your thoughts.
This story was reported by journalists Eric Pointer and Nikki Hauser and has been converted to this platform with the assistance of AI. Our editorial team verifies all reporting on all platforms for fairness and accuracy.
As we honor those who have served our country and made the ultimate sacrifice, it is also heartening to see the military right a wrong. Chris Davis brings us the moving story of a Purple Heart ceremony two decades in the making. It's worth a watch.
A heartfelt thanks to all who bravely serve.
- Carrie Sharp
