Autonomous vehicles are no longer science fiction.

The future is here, and I got to experience it firsthand in Austin, Texas, where Waymo’s self-driving cars have hit the streets through a seamless partnership with Uber.

As a tech enthusiast, I’ve been eyeing those sensor-packed Jaguars cruising around town for months.

When Waymo and Uber teamed up to bring driverless rides to the general public in Austin earlier this month, I couldn’t wait to try it out.

Here’s how it went – from opening the app to stepping out at my destination – and what it might mean for the tech-driven future of transportation.

Step 1: Setting the Stage in the Uber App

The process started like any other Uber ride. I pulled up the app on my phone to the same familiar interface I’ve used countless times.

Waymo rides are exclusive to Uber in Austin, so there’s no separate app to download, which keeps things simple.

Before requesting, I tweaked my settings to boost my chances of snagging a Waymo.

Under “Settings,” I found “Autonomous Vehicles” and toggled it on – a quick opt-in that signals my preference for a driverless ride.

I entered my destination and picked UberX, one of the ride options eligible for a Waymo match (others include Uber Green, Comfort, and Comfort Electric).

Step 2: The Match and Confirmation

After hitting “Request,” the app did its thing. A few seconds later, a pop-up appeared: “You’ve been matched with a Waymo autonomous vehicle.”

“Finally!” I thought to myself.

The screen gave me the option to accept or switch to a human driver.

I tapped “Accept,” and the app confirmed my ride with a little animation of a sleek, white Jaguar I-PACE rolling my way.

The app first reminded me of a few basics: seven minutes to board once it arrived, no pets (service animals welcome), and 24/7 support accessible via the app or in-car screen if I needed help.

When the car arrived, it even displayed my initials on a virtual rooftop dome, a neat touch to help me spot the car.

Step 3: The Ride Itself

Right on time, the Waymo pulled up – a pristine, all-electric Jaguar I-PACE with sensors and cameras sprouting from its roof like a high-tech crown.

I tapped “Unlock” in the Uber app and the doors clicked open.

No driver, just a quiet hum and a faint new-car smell.

The ride was, as I’d later call it, fantastically boring – in the best way.

The Waymo navigated Austin’s streets with eerie precision.

The front screen displayed what the “Waymo Driver” saw: pedestrians, traffic lights, and cars highlighted in colorful outlines.

It paused at a stop sign near Barton Springs Road, yielded to an oncoming truck, and merged onto South Congress without a hitch.

No sudden brakes, no close calls – just a smooth 15-minute ride, so seamless that I occasionally forgot it was driverless.

Step 4: Arrival and Reflection

As we neared my destination, the Waymo signaled, slowed, and pulled into a safe drop-off spot.

The app chimed, “You’ve arrived,” and I tapped “End Ride.”

The doors unlocked, I grabbed my bag, and stepped out.

No tip prompt this time.

Standing on the sidewalk, I reflected on the bigger picture.

Waymo’s already doing 200,000 rides a week nationwide, and this Austin rollout with Uber will push that higher.

For Alphabet (GOOG), Waymo’s parent, it’s a step toward monetizing decades of AV research.

For Uber (UBER), it’s a margin-boosting move – fewer human drivers, less overhead.

For riders like me, it’s a peek at a future where transportation is less about driving and more about enjoying the ride.

Currently, Waymo operates in San Francisco, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Austin.

Next week, autonomous rides will be available to riders in Atlanta and Miami, with Washington D.C. coming down the road.

If you’re located in one of these cities, I highly recommend you take a ride yourself.

Autonomous vehicles are no longer science fiction.

The technology is here, and it’s fantastically boring.