As we embrace the marvels of modern technology, it's hard not to be dazzled by the advancements in the automotive industry, particularly the development of self-driving cars. These autonomous vehicles promise a future of hands-free driving, increased safety, and more efficient travel. However, as with any pioneering technology, there are bound to be hiccups along the way. This was made abundantly clear by the recent experience of an American tech expert, which has left some of our members questioning whether the future is as bright as it seems.

Mike Johns, a US tech expert, decided to try out Google’s Waymo self-driving taxi service for a trip to the airport. What was supposed to be a simple, convenient ride turned into a dizzying ordeal when the autonomous vehicle began to drive in endless circles within an office car park. The incident, which Johns captured on video and shared on LinkedIn, raised concerns about the reliability of self-driving technology.



Johns' video shows him sitting in the back of the Waymo car, visibly perplexed and frustrated as the car loops around the parking lot. 'Why is this thing going in a circle? I’m getting dizzy,' he can be heard saying on a call to Waymo’s customer assistance line. 'Has this been hacked? What’s going on? I feel like I’m in the movies. Is somebody playing a joke on me?' The situation was made even more pressing by the fact that Johns had a plane to catch later that day.


The public reaction to Johns' post was a mix of concern and scepticism. Comments ranged from calling the experience 'extremely scary' to criticizing the motivation behind autonomous taxis as nothing more than 'greed.' Johns himself expressed his dissatisfaction to CBS News Los Angeles, describing the self-driving car as 'a half-baked product' and lamenting the lack of customer support.



Our team at the Seniors Discount Club had the opportunity to test Waymo’s service last year and, while we were generally impressed, we did encounter a minor hiccup—a brief traffic jam caused by Waymo cars that got too close to other vehicles. It's important to note that Waymo has been a pioneer in the field, establishing the world's first paid autonomous taxi service in San Francisco and expanding to other areas including Los Angeles and Arizona.

The driverless ride-sharing service, which currently uses modified Jaguar I-Pace electric cars, is set to transition to a new generation of vehicles manufactured by Geely’s Zeekr electric car brand. This move signals Waymo's commitment to advancing its technology and expanding its fleet.

Despite these advancements, the incident with Johns serves as a reminder that self-driving technology is still in its infancy and that there are real-world challenges to overcome. It's crucial for companies like Waymo to address these glitches and ensure robust customer support to build trust with consumers, especially with seniors who may be more hesitant to adopt such new technology.



For our members who are curious about self-driving cars, we recommend staying informed about the latest developments and exercising caution when using these services. It's also wise to have a backup plan in case technology fails to meet expectations.

You can watch the video below:


We'd love to hear from you—have you had any experiences with self-driving cars or ride-sharing services? What are your thoughts on the future of autonomous vehicles? Share your stories and opinions in the comments below, and let's navigate this brave new world of transportation together.