Waymo's robotaxi app is now available to all (beware of the waitlist)

Excuse me driver, can you slow down on the ads?... Self-driving cars are the most-talked about things that don't exist yet since the "phase one" US-China trade deal. But Alphabet geared up to make robotaxis a reality last week by launching its Waymo app in Apple’s App Store (it's been chilling already in the Google Play store since April).

• 1 year ago: People in Phoenix (aka Phoenixians?) could become early adopters of Waymo, but they first had to sign Non-Disclosure Agreements. About 1,500 people have taken 100K+ rides so far, usually with a human safety driver behind the wheel (just in case).
• Today: Both iPhone and Android users can download the Waymo app and join a waitlist. It's still only available in the Phoenix area, but they've started doing rides with nobody behind the wheel at all.

Whoever offers Robotaxis first will probably win a ton of business... Our rough math estimates that a $10 ride becomes a $5 ride with self-driving cars:

• $10: The fare of our simulated Uber ride.
• $7: The rough amount the driver gets to keep.
• $2: The amount needed to cover gas, insurance, and the car payment.
• $5: The cost of the driver. This is the number that vanishes with robotaxis — roro-rides could become half the price of human-driven Lyft or Uber rides.