Waymo making its self-driving minivans available for Lyft customers in Arizona

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According to CNBC, Waymo is now making some of its self-driving minivans available for Lyft customers.

The rides will be offered in a small area just outside of Phoenix, where Waymo has been testing its technology. Waymo has even launched its own autonomous ride-share service called Waymo One in the area. 

Waymo CEO John Krafcik says that he believes the relationship between the two companies gives them “the opportunity to collect valuable feedback,” as Waymo will get the chance to get a better idea of how the public interacts with an autonomous vehicle. Until now, those riding in Waymo’s vehicles in the Phoenix area had to be pre-screened and accepted into the Waymo early rider program.

To start, Waymo is making only a few of its vehicles available in the Phoenix area. Eventually, up to 10 of the company’s self-driving minivans will be eligible for Lyft rides.

The service will be limited to Lyft customers who plan to start and complete a ride within the geofenced area where Waymo vehicles have been operating.

When Lyft customers in certain suburbs of Phoenix launch the app to look for the ride, they will be offered the chance to ride in Waymo's autonomous minivan, or they can opt for a traditional Lyft vehicle with a human driver.

A safety driver will be behind the wheel of all of the Waymo minivans in the Lyft program.