Sophia Tung, a software engineer based in San Francisco, conducted an experiment by sitting in a driverless Waymo taxi for the longest duration of 6 hours and 30 minutes. This follows a previous incident where a Waymo vehicle malfunctioned in a parking lot, prompting immediate software updates to remedy the situation. Tung, who set up a live streaming camera in her room overlooking the Waymo parking lot, sparked discussions on the issue.
In response, Waymo apologized to residents by hosting an ice cream event. Tung received a free ride code from Waymo, which she shared with friends until discovering its unlimited usage, making her wonder how long one could ride a Waymo for.
Upon researching, Tung identified limitations and vulnerabilities, such as Waymo’s maximum mid-journey stops and the Jaguar I-PACE electric vehicle’s travel range of 246 miles per charge, excluding onboard electrical device consumption. Moreover, riders can alter their destinations for longer trips.
Following a well-planned route, equipped with a camera for documentation and light snacks for sustenance, Tung embarked on her journey, even inviting friends along. An attempt to climb out the window was thwarted by Waymo’s rules against door-opening mid-journey. Ultimately, Tung completed an 83-mile trip around San Francisco in 6 hours and 30 minutes, cut short by the vehicle’s low battery.
A Waymo representative noted Tung’s record-setting journey as the longest for regular customer service but emphasized Waymo’s capability for extended test runs. The premature end of the trip was due to the battery not reaching full charge and the potential for insufficient battery upon arrival.
TLDR: Sophia Tung tested the limits of a driverless Waymo taxi, embarking on a 6-hour 30-minute, 83-mile journey around San Francisco, uncovering both the strengths and weaknesses of autonomous transportation.
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