Waymo's robotaxis are getting festively patriotic for America's Independence Day this weekend.
On the Fourth of July, riders will be greeted with a freshly tweaked in-car experience, with fireworks displayed on the passenger screen of their Waymo.
The company will also program the vehicle icon on the screen to display stars above the robotaxi, along with a small fireworks animation.
It's part of an ongoing tradition at Waymo to make lighthearted adjustments to the user experience during holidays as the company scales its robotaxi service to more customers.
On April 1, for April Fools' Day, Waymo programmed its robotaxis to prank riders by having the in-car automated voice system ask passengers to hum a tune before the start of their ride.
When I got in my @Waymo this morning to come to work, the car’s voice said “To help me calibrate my microphone, please hum a tune at normal volume for 5 seconds.”
So I started humming some innocuous tune. 🎶
“Just kidding! April Fools!”
Well played, Waymo. Well played. pic.twitter.com/CtCBJUpvNV
For July 4, Waymo has also deployed robotaxis with an American-flag-themed wrap. A Waymo spokesperson did not say how many robotaxis will have the wrap, but said some are in DC, where the company is conducting tests and has yet to deploy a commercial public service.
In a statement, Waymo said July 4 can be one of the deadliest times of the year on US roads. The National Safety Council estimates that more than 400 people could die on Independence Day, in part because alcohol consumption is involved on the holiday.
Some research has shown that ride-hailing services can cut alcohol-related traffic deaths. A study from the National Bureau of Economics Research published in 2021 showed that the Uber platform reduced overall traffic fatalities in the US by 4% and alcohol-related traffic deaths by over 6%.
"Independence is at the heart of the 4th of July, and we help riders claim theirs every single day," Heather Aijian, Waymo's head of public affairs, said in a statement to Business Insider. "Waymo is proud to provide the ultimate designated driver — the world's most experienced Driver that never gets tired, distracted, or has one too many."
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