Driverless Car Experience, WOW!

Okay so life does sometimes imitate art, but it may take a while. In the early 60’s Special Agent Maxwell Smart (Agent 86) had a SHOE PHONE. Yes his shoe was a wireless mobile phone he could use to call “Control” which was the headquarters for him and his wife (Agent 99.) Apologies to all who didn’t see the sitcom. I am 60 and it was airing re-runs already when I was little. Fast forward a few decades and we all have these devices in our pockets. I have read that there is more computing power in one of these current smart phones, than in NASA’sMercuryProgram,GeminiProgram andApolloProgram  combined!

So it should be no surprise that the Jetson’s cartoon helped get us moving toward driverless vehicles! Again, decades after George and Jane Jetson drove their automated Hover Car. We aren’t hovering yet, likely because of efficiency. A few weeks back in Scottsdale AZ, we decided to order a driverless Waymo, instead of using the 2 known common apps for rideshare.

Here’s how it works:

-Install the app 1 minute.

-Set up account 1 minute.

-Get an access code and link your credit card by taking a picture and it translates the numbers into text, verify and you are set. 90 seconds.

Now, you order a car like with any rideshare service. We ordered it from my son and daughter in law’s home, to the restaurant. Just like those other rideshares, the app shows where the driverless electric Jaguar is en route. So we head to the curb and here it comes. The lit dome on the roof has “JP” in bright LEDs based on my account registration of John Parrillo.

Next I get a text alert asking if I approve unlocking the vehicle. Awesome feature so no one can hijack your ride! I read that you can put minors in the vehicle and send them off to grandma’s/school/friend’s and then you or grandma can unlock the vehicle when they arrive and are safe!

I jumped in the passenger seat and it felt like theinvisible manpulled away. Did I mention it was raining?? We were certainly going to test all these camera’s and radar systems that are spinning on the roof, bumpers and mirrors. The vehicle handled the weather, traffic lights and turns like a real pro. It was an experience to say the least. Down the road I’ll be telling my grandkids…."When your mother and father were your age, people drove cars." They’ll likely say, "Don’t be silly grandpa, why would people do that when they can sit in the back and update their status online?"

Now the best part. Dylan was handling the music in the back, and he had dialed up some Fleetwood Mac and Tom Petty. So what does Waymo do two days later? They send me my music choices and ask if I would like to expand my playlist or preferred choices. So I added some Lainey Wilson and Eagles! So, on my next ride, the car will know me and have my tunes ready to go!

These vehicles are only in about three cities currently. In Scottsdale/Phoenix they only work inside the 101 loop. So you’ll need a taxi for those bigger runs, or the other rideshare guys.

I’m including a photo of the car on arrival, my view of the invisible man from my seat, and the video of the vehicle arriving.

So when someone tells you something can’t be done, you can always reply “Not yet, but it’s coming!”

Have a great day.

John