Waymo has introduced teen accounts for driverless robotaxi rides in metropolitan Phoenix, allowing young passengers aged 14 to 17 to travel without adult supervision.
The program allows up to four passengers to share a ride with a teen passenger over 14, with ride information going to the adult on the account and real-time updates available to parents.
Waymo's support team has been trained to cater to younger customers and know when to contact parents. The service may expand to other cities in the future.
Overall, the move follows a trend of offering transportation services for teenagers without guardian supervision, with the safety factor of autonomous vehicles potentially appealing to parents.