Waymo offers teen accounts for driverless rides

Core Points - Waymo has launched teen accounts for its self-driving car service, Waymo One, targeting users aged 14 to 17 in Phoenix, Arizona [2][3] - The initiative aims to increase ridership and expand the service amid competition and economic challenges [3] - Parents can invite their teens to join the program, allowing them to hail fully autonomous rides [2][4] Expansion and Features - The teen accounts will initially be available only in the metro Phoenix area, with plans to expand to other markets in the future [4] - Waymo will provide specially-trained Rider Support agents for teen rides and allow real-time trip status sharing with parents [4] - The company currently offers over 250,000 paid trips weekly across various U.S. cities and plans to introduce autonomous rides in Miami and Washington, D.C., by 2026 [5] Competitive Landscape - Waymo's move follows a similar initiative by Uber, which launched teen accounts in 2023 [5] - The company is exploring potential partnerships to enable teen access through its network partners [5] - Waymo is also seeking to expand its operations in New York City, applying for a permit to operate with a trained specialist behind the wheel [6]