autoevolution
 

New Google Maps Feature on Android Brings Self-Driving Cars at One-Tap Distance

Waymo is a continuously evolving service, and now it looks like it’s ready to advance to the next level, as Google has just announced direct integration in Google Maps for Android.
Waymo integration in Google Maps 1 photo
Photo: @crazysim on Twitter
While at first glance it doesn’t seem much, the announcement is big news for the future of Waymo.

As you probably know already, the autonomous ride-hailing service has been active for a while in Phoenix, Arizona. However, it’s not a secret that the Alphabet-owned company already plans an expansion to more regions.

The debut of Waymo in Google Maps makes it possible for the company to actually figure out if it’s ready for more passengers, especially as Google’s navigation app is indeed expected to generate a bump in this regard in the short term.

So, in theory, Waymo going live in Google Maps could be the first step towards a possible expansion to more regions, though the company has remained completely tight-lipped on such a thing for now. How is Waymo integration in Google Maps actually working? Everything is as simple as it could be.

All you need to do is launch Google Maps on Android (iPhone support isn’t available at this point, but it could land later) and then define a starting point and a destination. Next, you can just tap the transit or rides modes in Google Maps, and you should see Waymo listed at the bottom of the screen as a ride-hailing option.

Google Maps then displays an estimated price and a link to open the app on your device, therefore making the experience as straightforward as possible.

According to the official announcement, the service currently works in the Metro Phoenix area exclusively. Again, there’s a good chance the company is currently testing the waters to determine its capacity and figure out if an expansion is feasible or not.
If you liked the article, please follow us:  Google News icon Google News Youtube Instagram X (Twitter)
About the author: Bogdan Popa
Bogdan Popa profile photo

Bogdan keeps an eye on how technology is taking over the car world. His long-term goals are buying an 18-wheeler because he needs more space for his kid’s toys, and convincing Google and Apple that Android Auto and CarPlay deserve at least as much attention as their phones.
Full profile

 

Would you like AUTOEVOLUTION to send you notifications?

You will only receive our top stories