Waymo finally has a music experience worthy of its robotaxi

I’m driving behind a Waymo that’s autonomously navigating the busy streets of San Francisco with relative ease because of 29 exterior cameras, six radar, and 5 lidar sensors all feeding into an AI mannequin. For simply 15 bucks, I get to expertise what appears like a miracle of contemporary expertise, and but, there’s a nagging thought I can’t shake.

The music sucks in right here.

Waymo’s music-streaming function has felt like an aged barnacle hooked up to a futuristic shell. Till this week, passengers had been restricted to some music stations that performed lo-fi beats, easy jazz, Ok-pop, or different genres they could or could not look after. For individuals who wished to hearken to one thing extra particular, that they had to make use of one other app from Waymo’s dad or mum firm Alphabet.

For iPhone customers, that meant downloading the Google Assistant app and configuring it to connect with Spotify. At that time, you needed to ask Google Assistant by means of written or verbal instructions to stream sure songs, artists, or playlists on the Waymo. Even should you get so far — at which you’ll be midway to your vacation spot and have listened to roughly three lo-fi beats — the service didn’t work reliably.

As I rode alongside in a robotaxi stuffed with cutting-edge expertise, I used to be puzzled why Waymo had not discovered a easy solution to stream music from my cellphone into the automotive’s audio system — a breakthrough that automakers and audio producers discovered a few many years in the past.

That’s why I used to be pleasantly shocked this week to see that Waymo launched a Spotify integration permitting customers to seamlessly hyperlink the music-streaming and robotaxi-hailing providers. I instantly related the providers and hailed a Waymo to see how it could work.

Waymo’s Spotify integration is nothing groundbreaking, however it provides to the consumer expertise. It really works seamlessly, which is roughly what I’d count on when making an attempt to play music on my automotive’s audio system in 2025. However driving round in a Waymo, listening to my very own playlist or selecting up the place I left off on a podcast, the again seat of the robotaxi feels extra like my very own house — which is more and more the explanation I go for a Waymo.

To set it up, open the Waymo app and navigate to the “Music” part, the place you’ll discover a brand new providing that permits you to hook up with Spotify. From there, you’ll be able to press a button and authorize Spotify to connect with Waymo, albeit whereas giving the robotaxi supplier some entry to your listening info.

I’m certain Apple Music customers will quickly wish to stream their music and podcasts in Waymos as nicely. Waymo spokesperson Chris Bonelli advised Trendster the corporate is all the time exploring new personalization choices however didn’t make clear when the corporate would possibly add an Apple Music integration.

As soon as my Waymo and Spotify accounts had been linked, I hailed a Waymo like I normally would and obtained in. On the Waymo’s touchscreen within the again seat, there’s an possibility to pick out Spotify. I tapped it, and the podcast I used to be listening to on my headphones began enjoying from the precise spot I left off.

You’ll be able to flip “autoplay” on or off in Waymo’s Music settings, and upon entry, the robotaxi will routinely begin enjoying no matter tune or podcast you had been listening to on Spotify. I appreciated having it on, however it does really feel prefer it might get you into an odd scenario should you’re listening to an intense true crime podcast after which get right into a Waymo with work colleagues.

You too can use the Waymo’s touchscreen to pick out from a wide range of personalized playlists that Spotify customers can be accustomed to, reminiscent of your “Daylist” or different mixes. Nevertheless, this choice doesn’t appear to incorporate albums, audiobooks, or podcasts that you just’ve not too long ago listened to.

Fortunately, your Spotify app now controls the music within the Waymo. You’ll be able to merely choose any tune or playlist you need out of your smartphone and stream it all through the car such as you would utilizing Apple CarPlay or a bluetooth speaker.

In the long run, the Spotify integration made my robotaxi really feel extra customized; I used to be even capable of tweak the bass, subwoofer, and treble ranges within the automotive’s audio system. That personalization is probably not the principle attraction for first-time customers, however it might maintain them coming again — and a loyal buyer base is precisely what Waymo wants.