Google's bet: Autonomous Vehicle's first real-world application isn't rideshare. It's grocery delivery. [The Verge]

Perhaps Google has a much level-headed approach on this.  Their first use case they are pushing for is grocery delivery, and they are launching it in Phoenix where Uber's car drover over a bicyclist. 

Waymo, Google’s self-driving-car spinoff, has partnered with Walmart, Avis and AutoNation in a trial program to offer free short rides in the Phoenix area to customers who use their services.

It’s been a little over a year since Waymo, the Alphabet-owned self-driving vehicle company, first launched its early rider program in an attempt to test its evolving technology and understand what it is that riders want out of an automated vehicle service. Today, the company announced that after months of research, it will be partnering with five different companies to expand its reach and provide discounts for services riders already use the AV technology for.

In a blog post, Waymo said test riders primarily use the self-driving cars to run smaller errands like shopping at retail locations or to pick up groceries. The company is launching a test pilot in Arizona with Walmart later this week that will provide riders with discounts on groceries that are ordered through the massive supermarket chain’s website. While those orders are being prepared by Walmart employees, Waymo will transport customers to and from their homes to pick up their groceries.

Read on: https://www.theverge.com/2018/7/25/17611760/waymo-walmart-self-driving-vehicles-groceries-discounts