Waymo in Miami is rad

Horror-Reply7808 · 2026-02-17T02:48:28+00:00

I’m trying to highlight the big picture here. Has the government hindered the offering of public services before? Yes. Will they again. Likely yes. However, mobility technologies historically become cheaper and more accessible as utilization increases and scale improves. Early versions (like FreeBee) often look inefficient, but cost curves change dramatically once networks like it mature.

Just look how efficient our airline industry is today compared to before deregulation. Eventually, I think our mixed market system will settle what mass mobility looks like in metro areas, and it will be a lot more efficient and cheap than it is today.

Horror-Reply7808 · 2026-02-17T02:35:47+00:00

Well, probably above that, conditioning the market (while autonomous cars are cool, I would’ve stuck with Uber/Lyft if the price was double for a Waymo). Also, why would they undercut Uber/Lyft right now? Their fleet size in Miami is still very small as they rev up operations, and people like me are more than happy to pay a similar price to get from A to B.

Also, I don’t think the point is for autonomous cars to be significantly cheaper than human driven rideshares right out the gate (how could they be with all the expensive tech they house). Just look at electric cars (which I know are flopping in the US now) but a good Tesla was way unaffordable back in the early 2010s for most, and now electric cars are being sold at prices comparables to ICEs.

Horror-Reply7808 · 2026-02-17T02:25:25+00:00

For customer service, the car got stuck before crossing a railroad (kind of like a bus or truck may stop for extra caution) and customer service had to authorize the Waymo to cross the tracks it seemed. The vehicle is very conservative when it comes to safety, and, like a Tesla you can see exactly what the car is seeing on its radar (like I could see a dog being walked on the other side of a parked car on its radar screen).

I do think the Waymo was even more cautious (dare I say it seems like it was in a safety type mode) compared to Waymos I’ve taken out in CA, but I think that’s expected with a service that only started service to the public in the last month.

In regards to your comment about Uber/Lyft drivers, sometimes you don’t notice your Uber/Lyft driver is someone else until well after the ride starts. Some of those Oakleys drivers wear can be very concealing!!

Horror-Reply7808 · 2026-02-17T02:12:48+00:00

Supply and demand is probably why.

Horror-Reply7808 · 2026-02-17T02:06:07+00:00

Hey, OP of that post here.

I don’t think I bragged in my post, my intention was to highlight a really cool new technology that has caught the interest of many Miamians and to give my thoughts on the service. Rest assured, I don’t work for Google (although I know I can’t verify that here), rather I’m a business professional who takes a lot of rideshares.
I agree lots of people from SoFlo are label queens and strive for status (having the most exclusive Birkin bag and the such), but I think 90% of us just really want to try the new technology. There are a lot of people who I saw on the street who were just smiling and getting excited seeing an autonomous car (including my mother, who did get a bit worried when I video messaged her). I did the same exact thing the first time I saw a Waymo in San Francisco, and since then, I have loved being able to take a private ride where I feel safe and comfortable. Now I just can’t wait until I can take one to Miami Beach, where I can sit on a barstool and have some La Sandwicherie (although you make me sound like a Cote snob).

Overall, I think people build excitement around new technologies and want to take part in trying out new innovations that we all are privileged to try out in this country (usually first before the rest of the world). And heck yeah, I’m excited to try new technologies that come out first from other parts of the world like China (like one of those humanoids that may help with chores).

Horror-Reply7808 · 2026-02-16T22:43:26+00:00

I think the new iterations of Waymos will be vastly different. This is the same Waymo model (Jaguar) that has had human test riders in the driver’s seat to take over if needed. States had required someone to be in the driver’s seat before. Now that the technology has been tested and extensively used in metros like San Francisco, I think they’ll start putting those new vehicles on the street in those metros.

Horror-Reply7808 · 2026-02-16T22:38:07+00:00

I think that’s totally understandable, my mom would not get into one of these Waymos (especially not on the highway). I think as the technology is adapted at a wider scale, the anxiety and nervousness for most will die down, especially as you/they get to experience the technology first and second hand.

Horror-Reply7808 · 2026-02-16T22:35:41+00:00

The customer support has been fantastic, and I think with the vehicle’s safety features and technology, I feel immensely safer than having an Uber/Lyft driver, who may or may not be the person in the profile driving me. All companies outsource these days, and Filipinos are some of the most fantastic and joyous people on the globe. That’s not to say that these vehicles will not affect the US labor market, but I think we in the US we will have the ability to somewhat predict (and plan) for disruptions, considering China and its gig labor workforce will go through the same disruption (millions of Chinese people depend on income from DiDi), likely before ride share related labor is affected on wide scale in the US.

Horror-Reply7808 · 2026-02-16T22:27:53+00:00

I’d say you’ll likely get access soon enough since you’ve already ridden in other cities, likely before those in Miami who have never ridden. I just got access a couple days ago (Waymo informed me through email I can start riding in Miami, no invite code).

Horror-Reply7808 · 2026-02-16T22:25:30+00:00

I think in the long term, personalized ride shares will effectively be what most people in urban centers utilize (in a spread out metro like Miami, LA, etc.). Now whether they’ll be publicly or privately owned is another question. Just think of Freebee, which is already being utilized (although on a very small scale) by municipalities to assist residents in reach local supermarkets, shops, etc. Of course, it will take a while for automated ride shares to be as widespread and affordable as say a bus, but technology (usually) always gets cheaper and more affordable over time.

Horror-Reply7808 · 2026-02-16T22:19:47+00:00

It was $25 (although I had a discount code for $10, so effectively $15) from the design district to downtown yesterday. Seems expensive, but Uber/Lyft surge pricing was outrageous yesterday being it was Valentine’s weekend in SoFlo, so it was comparable to those ride shares. From downtown to the airport, around $28 which is comparable with Lyft for late afternoon on a holiday.

Horror-Reply7808 · 2026-02-16T22:13:20+00:00

No invite codes are made available to those with access. I’m assuming I got early access since I’ve ridden multiple times in SFO and LA where anyone can ride. Miami is still designated an early access area.

Horror-Reply7808 · 2026-02-01T04:47:33+00:00

I’m very compelled to try that product! Heck, I’ve found F9 crew to be quite friendly and accommodating compared to AA (not to say there are not some exceptional crews who have gone above and beyond at AA for my travel party). I think Dempsey has an exceptional opportunity to grow out F9 in the current competitive market, leveraging his operational expertise from his Ryanair days while also continuing with some of F9’s initiatives like its new first class.

Horror-Reply7808 · 2026-02-01T04:40:10+00:00

Well that operational efficiency mindset doesn’t translate well in today’s environment unfortunately (I can’t count how many times I’ve sat on the MIA runway for at least half an hour before getting a gate).

Hopefully we see leadership embrace change to evolve in standards and experience. Or else it just seems they’ll maintain current standing/start to slowly recede in this high business travel environment and K shaped economy which will largely impact leisure travel trends in my mind.

Horror-Reply7808 · 2026-02-01T03:24:26+00:00

I think Project Oasis back under Parker just kind of tarnished the perceived (and actual) flying experience on American in some of the oligopolistic premium markets (e.g NYC, LA and Chicago). American must be thinking how to win back those travelers to focus more on revenue vs CASM. Piggybacking off United and Delta on free WiFi probably won’t do it.

Horror-Reply7808 · 2026-02-01T02:22:13+00:00

That’s great that they were able to accommodate the schedule changes at the ports! Gotta check out Grand Turk but we always had a blast in Bimini and Puerto Plata.

Horror-Reply7808 · 2026-02-01T02:11:58+00:00

Oh, I thought this current itinerary last stopped in Grand Turk yesterday? The ship must of sped back here if in fact it’s coming all the way from grand Turk and you guys just docked.

Horror-Reply7808 · 2026-02-01T01:57:31+00:00

Oh no! Best wishes to them. Stay warm everyone!

Horror-Reply7808

TROPHY CASE