Both Waymo One Driverless and Cruise Driverless offer autonomous ride-hailing services with distinct advantages and disadvantages. Waymo boasts a more mature technology and wider service area, while Cruise emphasizes accessibility and data security. However, both have faced safety concerns. The choice depends on individual priorities, such as service area needs, accessibility requirements, and tolerance for potential safety risks.
| Attribute | Waymo One Driverless | Cruise Driverless |
|---|---|---|
| Driverless Technology Maturity | Waymo has been developing autonomous vehicle technology since 2009. In 2015, they provided the "world's first fully driverless ride on public roads". By November 2019, Waymo One was the first autonomous service to operate without safety drivers. | Testing and deploying fully driverless vehicles; has faced scrutiny and required interventions. |
| Service Area Coverage (square miles) | 588 square miles across six coverage areas: Phoenix (315), San Francisco (55), Los Angeles (89), Austin (37), Silicon Valley (27), Atlanta (65). | Varies by location; Phoenix suburbs: 50 sq mi radius; San Francisco: a few tens of square miles. |
| Vehicle Availability (average wait time) | Wait times vary; 50% between 4-13 minutes (median 7 minutes). Some users report around 15 minutes, longer than Uber or Lyft. | Limited car availability may lead to longer wait times. |
| Pricing Model (per mile, flat rate, surge pricing) | Base fare, per-mile charges, and a service fee (10-15% of total fare). Tipping is optional. In San Francisco, Waymo fares were on average ~10% more expensive than Uber/Lyft. First one-fifth mile of flag rate is $4.15. Each additional one-fifth mile or fraction thereof is $0.65. Each minute of waiting or traffic time delay is $0.65. | Base fare plus per-mile and per-minute charges, along with a city tax. E.g., $5.00 base fare + $0.40 per minute + $0.90 per mile, plus a 1.15% city tax. |
| Safety Record (accidents per mile) | Waymo claims 88% fewer crashes resulting in serious injuries compared to human drivers. One analysis showed an 85% reduction in crash rate involving any injury and a 57% reduction in police-reported crash rate compared to human benchmarks. Another study reported 84% fewer airbag deployment crashes, 73% fewer injury crashes, and 48% fewer police-reported crashes. Waymo vehicles had the highest number of crashes reported to NHTSA between 2021 and 2023, with 150. | Reported fewer collisions per mile than human drivers in first million driverless miles; involved in accidents, including one with severe injuries to a pedestrian; paused operations after October 2023 incident. |
| User Experience (app rating, ease of use) | Waymo's app is similar to standard ride-hailing services. You can select a specific location for pickup and choose the side of the street. | Focuses on passenger experience, including accessibility, communication, and education about the AV. |
| Customer Support Availability (hours, channels) | Support is available 24/7 by phone, chat, or email. You can get help through the app or the passenger screen in the car. | Passengers can contact customer support specialists before, during, and after rides. |
| Vehicle Cleanliness and Maintenance | Waymo cleans and disinfects vehicles multiple times per day and provides hand sanitizers and wipes for passengers. They also perform remote inspections and will send vehicles back to the facility for cleaning if needed. Avis is contracted to clean and refuel Waymo's vehicles. | GM has explored self-cleaning floor systems; Cruise had a team for cleaning, charging, and maintaining the fleet. |
| Accessibility Features (wheelchair access) | Features include displaying the rider's initials on the rooftop dome, turn-by-turn navigation, screen reader support, purpose-built car sounds, assistive in-car audio, and adaptive navigation. Settings to minimize walking distance at pickup and drop-off points. Wheelchair-accessible vehicles (WAVs) are available, but are manually driven. In Phoenix, you can request a WAV by contacting Support. | Wheelchair-accessible vehicle (WAV) with a ramp and securement systems; real-time texting for deaf/hard-of-hearing individuals; service animals permitted; mobile app works with phone screen readers for blind/low-vision users. |
| Ride Customization Options (route preferences) | You can update your destination, pull the car over, or cancel your trip using the app. | Not available |
| Data Privacy and Security Measures | Cameras are used to ensure rides go smoothly, spot left-behind items, provide assistance in emergencies, check that in-car rules are followed, and improve products and services. In-car audio is not recorded unless you speak with Support directly. | Multi-layer authentication, real-time threat detection, compliance with cybersecurity standards, proactive monitoring. |
| Insurance Coverage During Rides | Waymo partners with Trov to insure riders. The coverage includes protections for lost property, trip interruptions, and medical expense reimbursement. Waymo pays the premiums, so riders are automatically covered. | Partnered with Mobilitas Insurance for commercial insurance coverage; assesses damage and handles insurance through its own carrier. |