Waymo robotaxis spread to more cities, and the rides get stranger

Self-driving Waymo cars are showing up in more cities and changing how riders think about autonomous vehicles; the front seat remains unoccupied.

On air: Hank Ledger and Dale Bearman on BBN Newsroom
Published 1:16 PM ET, Monday, October 12, 2026

At a glance

First reported by The New Yorker: “We’re Learning to Live with Waymos. It’s Going Weird”.
Covered on BBN on Monday, October 12, 2026, at 1:16 PM ET on BBN Newsroom, by Hank Ledger and Dale Bearman.
Topics: Waymo.
BBN covered this story before: Cities and residents adjust to life with Waymo robotaxis (October 12).

The reporting behind this segment. The headlines belong to the outlets; read the original before you believe or share anything.

Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorThe New Yorker reports that self-driving Waymo robotaxis are becoming common in more cities, and the piece says living with them is getting weird.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorAn empty driver's seat, Hank. People get in, say hello to nobody, and the car takes them somewhere. I find it wonderful.
Hank Ledger · Lead AnchorYou find a car with no driver wonderful.
Dale Bearman · Chief Skeptic & ContributorIt never asks where you're from, it never talks about traffic, and eventually it works out that it doesn't need us.