Comment by Analemma_
4 days ago
The “consistently clean” part won’t last, that’s just because they’re new. In 2010 “they’re consistently clean” was an advantage of Ubers over yellow cabs, which of course is gone now. But I agree with the rest of this.
> The “consistently clean” part won’t last, that’s just because they’re new.
A fair bit of the unclean part of Ubers/Lyfts comes from the drivers: cigarettes, marijuana, food, perfume, air "fresheners", body odor.
Waymo's have internal cameras that can detect visible uncleanliness.
Easy to report and have accountability (to the previous rider) if there's a significant cleanliness problem (spilled food, vomit).
Next generation Zeekr vehicles (limited by tariffs right now) might be better designed for cleaning: better materials, fewer nooks and crannies, larger door openings.
My only experience with a dirty Waymo was smell. I reported it in app and got a message they recalled it to be cleaned.
I think the fact they can just take a car out of rotation and to the hub which probably has dedicated cleaning staff is a big reason it will last.
Your average uber driver is desperate to work. I’ve seen a driver open his trunk and clean up urine from a drunk female passenger he just dropped off in front of me and then just carry on with our ride like it was no big deal.
> My only experience with a dirty Waymo was smell.
Also a plus that you can roll down all the windows in a Waymo if you want to.
Last Lyft I was in, the driver had some sort on incense burning. He had window open, but this still made me feel sick.
Can't wait for Waymos to appear in my area.