Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle subsidiary, is exploring a new subscription program aimed at providing transportation for teenagers. The proposed service, potentially called “Waymo Teen,” would allow teens to independently hail Waymo robotaxis and would offer a feature to send real-time pickup and drop-off notifications to their parents.
According to a report from the San Francisco Standard, Waymo conducted a survey to gauge interest in the program and suggested a subscription price ranging from $150 to $250 per month for up to 16 rides. A Waymo spokesperson confirmed to TechCrunch that the company is exploring the possibility of allowing authorized teenagers to use their service under parental supervision, based on encouraging feedback from their research.
The move reflects a growing trend among ride-hailing companies to target younger passengers to increase their customer base. In a similar effort, Uber introduced a feature last year that allows teenagers aged 13 to 17 to book rides with highly rated drivers in its network. This service requires parental consent, and parents receive notifications about their child’s location during the ride.
If implemented, Waymo Teen could provide a convenient solution for parents, potentially alleviating the need to drive their kids to and from after-school activities. This initiative could also mark a significant step in expanding the user base of autonomous ride-hailing services to younger demographics, fostering early adoption of autonomous vehicle technology.
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