Plus, we spoke with local hip-hop artist Blakchyl.
 
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69º | Rainy | 87% chance of rain | Sunrise 7:28 a.m. | Sunset 5:42 p.m.
 

All destination, no driver

What to know about self-driving cars in Austin
A driverless Cruise car takes a trip through Downtown Austin.
You need an invite code to take a Cruise ride, but you can join the waitlist for a code of your own. | Photo by ATXtoday
It may be Halloween season, but it’s not a ghost driving that car.

About 125 autonomous vehicles are currently operating in Austin — and chances are, you’ve seen one on the roads.

As one of the top tech hubs in the US, the Capital City was tapped as one of the prime markets for testing out driverless cars. Here’s what to know about which companies’ products are hitting the streets and how you can take a ride yourself.

How do autonomous vehicles work?

Autonomous vehicles, or AVs, have been around for decades, but didn’t become legal in the state of Texas until 2017. Today, all AVs are licensed with the state and undergo routine inspections.

Every AV operates differently, but most operate using cameras, radar, and lidar sensors, in addition to GPS.

ATX_Waymo

Waymo, which is currently in the process of rolling out driverless cars in Austin, uses GPS maps and sensor data to operates its vehicles.

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Photo via Waymo

Which companies have AVs in Austin?

There are more than a dozen companies either currently operating or planning to launch AVs in Austin. Some — like Torc, Waabi, and Kodiak — are geared toward trucking and freighting, and others like Gatik and Starship operate delivery services.

Then, there are passenger AVs, meant to transport humans. The businesses working to offer this in ATX include:
  • Cruise | Now offering public rides
  • Lyft | Now offering public rides
  • Waymo | Launching public rides soon
  • Volkswagen | Currently testing vehicles

How can I ride in an AV?

First thing’s first, although the safety of autonomous vehicles have been significantly tested, they are still involved in accidents, including some reported in Austin.

Cruise, which is currently offering public rides to Austinites with an invite code (you can join a waitlist through the app to get a code of your own) is under investigation for two recent incidents. State law currently prevents cities from regulating AVs.

Lyft also offers autonomous rides when available through its normal app service.
Asked

Would you take a self-driving car?
A. Yes
B. No
C. I already have
Share your thoughts
Events
Monday, Oct. 23
  • Lefty’s Shop of Horrors | Now-Tuesday, Oct. 31 | 12 a.m. | Lefty’s Brick Bar, 1813 C E. 6th St., Austin | Cost of purchase | Enjoy an immersive Halloween experience with Instagrammable bites + bevs.
Tuesday, Oct. 24
  • The Tuesday Social | Tuesday, Oct. 24-Tuesday, Nov. 14 | 5-11 p.m. | Devil May Care, 500 W. 6th St., Austin | Free | Enjoy an all-night happy hour with mini martinis, food specials, and Black Pumas keyboardist JaRon Marshall.
Wednesday, Oct. 25
Thursday, Oct. 26
  • Austin Film Festival | Thursday, Oct. 26-Thursday, Nov. 2 | Times vary | Multiple locations | $60-$5,750 | Film fans will “feel like an eight-year-old at an Amy’s Ice Cream counter” at this festival filled with screenings, premieres, and Q&As.
Friday, Oct. 27
Plan Ahead
  • Trail-or-Treat Halloween Party | Saturday, Oct. 28 | 3:30-6:30 p.m. | Seaholm Intake Building, 707 W. Cesar Chavez St., Austin | Free | Don’t miss this event featuring pet tarot readings, costume contests, and themed activities and treats from local vendors.
Events calendar here
Click here to have your event featured.
 
News Notes
Sports
  • The Red Bull Team’s Max Verstappen captured his 15th win of the season at the US Grand Prix yesterday, beating Mercedes’ Lewis Hamilton by 2.2 seconds. Celebrities like Prince Harry, Joe Jonas, and Patrick Dempsey were pictured in the audience. (KXAN)
Number
  • $1.2 billion. That’s the potential cost of expanding and renovating the downtown Austin Convention Center. Last week, Austin City Council awarded JE Dunn Construction and Turner Construction with contracts to complete the project. (Austin Monitor)
Civic
  • The Downtown fire station at Fifth and Trinity streets was condemned and temporarily closed this month. Crews have been redistributed to other stations while the building is remodeled. (KXAN)
Development
  • Austin City Council approved an expansion plan for the historic Green Pastures wedding venue in south Austin. Construction on the site, known for its peacocks and Mattie’s restaurant, has not yet been given a timeline. (KVUE)
Travel
Seasonal
  • Graveyards, 12-ft skeletons, and unearthly portals: find it all in front of Austinite Ben Sitton’s Allandale home. The former chef constructs elaborate Halloween displays from thrifted objects and handmade items.
Tech
  • If you’re parting with $80 to $100 every month for phone services, it’s time for a change. Get unlimited data, talk, and text with Boost Mobile for $12.50 for your first month.*
 
Listen

Finding a voice

Talking inspiration, collaboration, and Austin with hip-hop artist Blakchyl
Blakchyl sitting on a ledge with buildings in the background, in black and white.
Austin-based hip-hop artist Blakchyl just returned from performing abroad in France. | Photo provided by Blakchyl.
Blakchyl always loved music, poking through albums from her mom’s CD collection at a young age in East Austin. It wasn’t until she joined The Cipher, a now-closed nonprofit in East Austin, that she learned how to make it herself.

Now, Blakchyl is a prolific local hip-hop artist on the heels of an international tour. We sat down with the local musician at ACL Fest to learn more about her passions.

What was your introduction to Austin’s music scene?

I was a part of a nonprofit [called The Cipher] based around young artists coming together to express themselves, to speak. And we were also introduced to a lot of other nonprofits.

Even though hip-hop was the center of the nonprofit, I was able to learn so much and connect with community. I would say that that was my foundation into rap.
6 more questions
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The Wrap
 
London Gibson

Today’s edition by:
London
From the editor
Well, that’s me signing off for now. I’m headed to Kauai for a week of hiking, swimming, and taking in some gorgeous views — see y’all soon, Austin.
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