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Waymo makes its ride application more widely available by putting it on Google Play store as the automaker prepares to open its service to a larger number of Phoenix residents.
The company, which became a company under Alphabet, launched a limited commercial service robotaxi called Waymo One in the Phoenix area in December. The Waymo One standalone car service and accompanying app was only available to Phoenix residents who were part of its program for novice passengers, which aimed to integrate people already approved in its autonomous mini-vans.
Technically, Waymo had Android and iOS apps for a while. But interested runners would only have access to the application after applying for the first time on the company's website. Once accepted into the first program, they would receive a link to the app to download to their device.
The Beginners Program, launched in April 2017, brought together more than 400 participants in the last Waymo share. Waymo did not provide information on the number of people who went to the public service, except to say that "hundreds of bikers" use it.
Now, with the launch of Waymo One on Google Play, the company is widening the door a little. However, there will always be limitations to the service.
Customers interested in Android devices can download the application. Unlike a traditional call-to-voice service, like Uber or Lyft, This does not mean that users will have instant access. Instead, potential runners will be added to a waiting list. Once accepted, they will be able to request walks in the application.
These new clients will first be invited to the Waymo Early Adopters program before being transferred to the public service. This is an important distinction because the first participants in the passenger program must sign non-disclosure agreements and can not take guests with them. These new riders will eventually be transferred to Waymo's public service, the company said. Public Service users can invite guests, take photos and videos and talk about their experiences.
"These two offerings are deeply linked because the lessons learned from our first runners program help forge the experience that we ultimately provide to our public runners," Waymo said in an article published Tuesday on his blog.
Waymo has been moving towards a commercial service in Phoenix since the start of the Chrysler Pacifica minivans test in the suburbs such as Chandler in 2016.
The following year, Waymo launched its beginner program. The company also began testing empty stand-alone minivans on public streets that year.
Waymo began in May 2018 to allow some of the first drivers to hail an autonomous van without a human driver driving test. More recently, the company launched a public transit program in Phoenix focused on transporting people to bus stops, train stations and light rail.
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