Posted: October 15, 2024
Image Credits: Allen J. Schaben / Getty Images
Author: Connie Loizos

Sophia Tung, a software engineer who lives in the San Francisco area, had an unexpected surprise when she set up a livestream this past summer to show self-driving Waymo cars honking from her apartment’s parking lot at all hours of the night. The honking was a nuisance, but it also provided a unique opportunity for Tung to showcase the behavior of autonomous vehicles.

As fate would have it, the Waymo team noticed Tung’s livestream and decided to reach out to her. They threw an ice cream party in Tung’s building as a kind of apology for the disturbance caused by their robotaxis. Additionally, they gave Tung some promo codes redeemable for free rides on their service.

However, it seems that Waymo may have underestimated Sophia Tung’s curiosity and resourcefulness. After giving a few friends some codes, she realized that there was no cap on the value of each code. This led her to devise an ambitious plan: using one of the promo codes to ride in a Waymo for 24 hours, visiting various tourist destinations such as Golden Gate Park, Chinatown, and Twin Peaks.

The 24-Hour Road Trip

Tung’s initial goal was to explore San Francisco’s iconic landmarks while enjoying the comfort of a self-driving car. She started her journey with a refreshing ice cream treat from the party, feeling energized for the long ride ahead.

As she settled into the Waymo vehicle, Tung couldn’t help but feel a mix of excitement and nervousness about the adventure that lay before her. With the promo code activated, the self-driving car took off, navigating through San Francisco’s busy streets with ease.

Tung spent hours riding in the Waymo, taking in the breathtaking views of the city from various vantage points. She marveled at the Golden Gate Bridge, explored the vibrant streets of Chinatown, and even hiked up to Twin Peaks for a panoramic view of the city.

However, as the miles ticked by, Tung began to feel the effects of prolonged sitting in the Waymo. Her legs started to ache, and she found herself getting a bit stiff from the lack of movement. Despite this, she remained enthusiastic about her experience, snapping photos and videos along the way.

The Ride Comes to an End

After a grueling 6 hours and 30 minutes, Tung’s Waymo ride finally came to an end. The vehicle had traveled a total of 83 miles, leaving only 20 miles left on the odometer when it terminated the journey. Tung was relieved that her long adventure had come to an end, as she struggled to regain feeling in her legs.

As she stepped out of the Waymo, Tung laughed and exclaimed, "Six hours and 30 minutes; I’m never doing that again!" It’s clear that while she enjoyed the ride, it was a bit more than she bargained for. Nonetheless, Tung appreciated the opportunity to experience self-driving technology firsthand.

Conclusion

Sophia Tung’s 24-hour Waymo adventure may have been an unexpected consequence of her initial livestream, but it provided a unique perspective on the capabilities and limitations of autonomous vehicles. Her experience serves as a testament to the importance of understanding user needs and providing adequate support for complex technologies like self-driving cars.

As Tung reflected on her journey, she acknowledged that while Waymo had initially underestimated her resourcefulness, they ultimately showed their appreciation through the ice cream party and promo codes. It’s clear that Tung values the company’s commitment to customer satisfaction and is grateful for the experience, despite its challenges.

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