no, it's not, there's an operator watching and listening to you on a camera and with microphones. potentially redirecting your car to wherever the authorities want you, based on what you say, how you look, or whatever. you're not alone at all. it's the illusion of solitude while actually being less alone than in a taxi. the difference is only that you are not faced with interacting with the service worker. it is isolation without privacy.

and you should interact with the driver. it's good for you and cabbies are full of stories. and it's important not to forget about others labor. the labor still happens with waymo; the autonomous nature is half baked and you are absolutely still being watched, listened to, and served directly.

face your privilege directly. take a normal cab. this whole thread reeks of classism from out of touch tech workers in SF