Reddit post shows magical independence: self-driving cars give money to blind people

For most of us, the ability to get to and from a place without a driver is something we take for granted. Robotaxis make this freedom more ubiquitous.

Waymo has been on a roll lately (but not quite past our criticism of self-driving companies and their motivations). The Alphabet-owned company has offered discounted rides to local transit centers, reduced fares and expanded its service network – all of which have helped the company see monthly ridership triple since the start of this year.

Waymo, as a blind person, finally gave me the feeling that most people have at 16 and driving a car independently for the first time. MAGIC!!!!
byu/Dowhile93 inwaymo

For non-disabled people, robotaxis remains more of a novelty than a world-shattering change in everyday norms. But for those who suffer from mobility issues or visual impairments, these self-driving vehicles offer a level of independence that physically disabled people often overlook.

A post on Reddit highlighted how Waymo’s fleet of autonomous vehicles gives blind people a radical sense of autonomy; Reddit user (slash)Dowhile93 explained (in fantastic detail) how a recent trip to San Francisco was changed (for the better) by the opportunity to ride in a robotaxis.

“I was in SF last week and took Waymos everywhere with me,” they write on Reddit, describing how the Waymos’ acoustic questions helped them find the passenger seat and provided a sense of security that “never got old” – “It was an unforgettable experience for me.”

The Reddit user even went so far as to say she would return to SF “just to use Waymo, honestly.”

“I loved playing my music, rolling down the windows and always getting into a clean car… I can’t say enough wonderful things,” he continued.

Robotaxis offers people with physical disabilities who would otherwise need a driver the opportunity to experience a feeling that many of us take for granted: riding in a car… without anyone else in it. This joy of making music; the introspection offered by solo drivers; the welcome solitude of being occupied with your thoughts as you travel to and from a place; the last-minute “pep talk” you might have on the way to a first date, a job interview, or a pitch meeting; the feeling of independence that many of us associate with adulthood – being alone in a car. There is tangible science behind it Why moving around alone in the car is incredibly therapeutic.

Another “mind-blowing” often overlooked benefit of robotaxis? The ability to drop off friends eliminates the need for a driver: “I had an experience where three of my blind friends got into a Waymo with me. I sat in the front and dropped her off at her house before continuing on to my hotel… It just blew my mind.”

Soon, both San Franciscans and tourists, regardless of their visual acuity, will have the opportunity to board large toasters throughout the city.

Feature Image: Courtesy of Waymo

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