Waymo, the self-driving cab company run by Google parent company Alphabet, is coming to Pittsburgh. “The future of mobility is expanding faster than ever and we’re thrilled to bring the proven experience of the Waymo Driver to more people,” the company stated on social media posts announci ng the expansion. Alongside the Steel City, Waymo announced its introduction to the Baltimore, St. Louis, and Philadelphia markets. Its cars will be driven by people at first as part of a phased rollout. “We’re driving in the city’s downtown core, and we’ll expand our operating area over time,” Waymo PR manager Ethan Teicher told Pittsburgh City Paper via email. Teicher said driverless cars will be introduced at some point in the future, but didn’t offer a specific timeframe. Waymo has some Pittsburgh connections. The company highlighted its links to Carnegie Mellon University in a release, and local driverless company Aurora, which took over Uber’s Pittsburgh operation in late 2020, was founded by a Waymo alumnus. Uber sparked local excitement while courting controversy over tax breaks and its safety record in the 2010s. Aurora has taken a more cautious approach focused on driverless freight trucks. While Waymo vehicles have been the center of controversy — arousing local ire for hitting animals, making too much noise, or serving as a symbol of the surveillance state during protests earlier this year — the company says its driverless cabs are safer for those both inside and outside of Waymo vehicles. “With more than 100 million miles of fully autonomous driving on public roads, the Waymo Driver is increasingly capable and adaptable,” Teicher said. “We’re confident in our ability to operate in Pittsburgh, as we today navigate San Francisco’s steep hills, Los Angeles’ traffic, a range of weather conditions from dust storms to heavy rain, and are actively driving in dense environments like Tokyo and soon, London.” Waymo claims to have the data to support its safety claims — the company has pointed to the fact that its self-driving vehicles have been involved in about 90% fewer insurance claims related to crashes and property damage compared to the average human driver. “The data shows that Waymo is involved in 92% fewer collisions with pedestrians that cause injuries compared to human drivers, and 78% fewer collisions that injure cyclists,” Teicher said. Pittsburgh’s roads have proved challenging for previous autonomous vehicle companies. However, Waymo’s vast experience could mean smoother going this time around. “We’re excited for residents and visitors in Pittsburgh to one day experience the safety, convenience, and magic of our technology firsthand,” the company said in its rollout announcement. ”Yinz ready to ride?” The post ”Yinz ready to ride?” Waymo will return self-driving cabs to Pittsburgh appeared first on Pittsburgh City Paper | News, Dining, Music, Best Of, Arts, Film. ...read more read less