October 15, 2024

Today’s Forecast

🚙 Behind the ride

A white Waymo self-driving car is parked on the street with the Texas State Capitol building in the background. The vehicle is equipped with sensors and cameras mounted on its roof, used for autonomous navigation. The scene features bright, clear skies, with trees and a traffic cone visible near the car, creating a mix of urban and natural elements.

Waymo rides take place in an electric Jaguar I-PACE. | Photo by ATXtoday

The robots are coming, and soon, you’ll be able to hail a ride from one.

Beginning in early 2025, Austinites will have the opportunity to take autonomous rideshares via a new partnership between Uber and Waymo.

City Editors Figi and Morgan recently took a fully autonomous Waymo ride with the company’s products communications manager, Chris Bonelli. Here are a few questions we asked during the experience.

When was your first Waymo ride? How do people usually react?

Bonelli: “My first ride was in Phoenix, two years ago. That first one is always a little jarring, maybe for most riders. I say 30 seconds to a minute before they’re kind of like, ‘oh, okay, this thing’s doing pretty good,’ then they might get distracted on their phone quickly by emailing or texting. We definitely see that with people.”

How does the cost compare to a human-driven taxi or rideshare?

Bonelli: “Across our markets where we are commercially open — Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles — our prices are comparable currently to Uber and Lyft. That’s comparable at the base rate, not factoring in tipping above and beyond what the fare is. That can vary, in complete transparency, based on supply and demand.”

What do you say to the skeptics or the people who have concerns over AVs?

Bonelli: “It’s a very mundane answer, but the literal best way of convincing someone is to experience it. Everyone is hesitant until they try something like this. That’s not going to be the answer for everyone, of course, but it is the best or most effective way.”

Learn more about Waymo in Austin and join the interest list.

Read the full Q+A

Events

Tuesday, Oct. 15

Saint John’s Pumpkin Patch | Now-Thursday, Oct. 31 | 2-7 p.m. | Saint John’s United Methodist Church | Free | Roam through this annual pumpkin patch, which has been running for 30+ years.

Wednesday, Oct. 16

Chayanne | 8 p.m. | The Moody Center | $45+ | The Puerto Rican singer and actor will stop in ATX on the “Bailemos Otra Vez” tour.

Thursday, Oct. 17

Vampire Weekend | 7 p.m. | The Moody Center | $23+ | Sing your heart out at the “Only God Was Above Us” tour with special guest Cults.

Friday, Oct. 18

Idle Hands 4th Birthday Celebration | 7-10 p.m. | Idle Hands | Cost of purchase | Celebrate the Rainey Street bar with a pirate-themed party on the patio, complete with live music and food from NADC Burger.

Saturday, Oct. 19

Roots & Wings Festival | Saturday, Oct. 19-Sunday, Nov. 3 | Times vary | Multiple locations | Free | Learn about the city’s urban nature through workshops, tree-planting sessions, guided nature walks, and family-friendly activities.

Saturday, Oct. 26

Screen on the Green: “The Nightmare Before Christmas” | 7 p.m. | Fareground | Free with RSVP | Watch the classic Halloween film, enjoy complimentary popcorn, and purchase $10 seasonal cocktails at the Downtown food hall.

There's plenty more to do

Click here to have your event featured.

Higginbotham Insurance and Financial Services

News Notes

Development

East Austin is now home to more than 300 new affordable housing units. Construction is complete on Pathways at Chalmers Courts, a redevelopment project that revamped a nearly 90-year-old building and took eight years to complete. (Austin American-Statesman)

Try This

Nickel City, a neighborhood bar in east Austin, is continuing an annual tradition: it has once again transformed into Moe’s Tavern from “The Simpsons” for the Halloween season. See the decor, try themed cocktails, and attend special events now through Thursday, Oct. 31. (Eater Austin)

Tech

Another California-based tech company announced it will move its headquarters to Silicon Hills. ABBYY, which focuses on document + data capturing and processing, already has a leadership team in Austin and is increasing its artificial intelligence investments. (KVUE)

Coming Soon

Nicole Trunfio, an Austin local and wife to musician Gary Clark Jr., will bring her maternity fashion brand to Domain NORTHSIDE in November. The BUMPSUIT pop-up will occupy the former SKIMS workshop space and feature apparel, products, and an interactive play area for children.

Civic

Although Lisa Davis’s first day on the job was in September, she was officially sworn in as the Capital City’s new police chief during a ceremony at Austin City Hall yesterday. She spent several weeks training to earn the Texas Commission on Law Enforcement certification. (KVUE)

Sports

The Cowboys lost 47-9 to the Detroit Lions on Sunday. What needs to change on the team’s offense? Get the biggest stories every day from the local experts of the Dallas Cowboys with Locked On’s daily podcasts.

Seasonal

Looking to boost your brand’s visibility? Our 2024 Holiday Gift Guide is the perfect place to showcase your gift-worthy products. With thousands of engaged readers, you will be seen by the right audience just in time for holiday shopping. Get in the guide.

Job

We’re looking for a Sales Executive to identify and secure new advertising partnerships and grow existing client relationships for our sister market, SATXtoday. Apply to join.

Festival

🎸 Iconic moments at ACL weekend two

You just had to be there. | Photos by Roger Ho, Pooneh Ghana, Charles Reagan Hackleman, and Taylor Regulski

ACL Festival 2024 has come and gone, but we’re holding on to the memories. Here are three moments from weekend two that we’ll be thinking about for the foreseeable future.

1. Willie Nelson surprised fans (twice)

Willie Nelson stunned festivalgoers with cameo performances not once, but twice. He kicked off Chris Stapleton’s headlining set on Friday with “Whiskey River” and “Bloody Mary Morning” before joining Orville Peck on Sunday to sing “Cowboys Are Frequently Secretly Fond of Each Other.”

2. Dua Lipa loves the Longhorns

This moment is now burnt in our memory. The international pop star celebrated UT Austin’s win over Oklahoma on Saturday by wearing a custom Texas Longhorns jersey.

3. “Chappell being Chappell”

Chappell Roan’s last concert of the year was nothing short of electric. She was vibing with the crowd — but not with the red filter on the stage’s screens — which a fan caught on video.

The Buy

A coffin letter board — perfect for writing out “Let’s go ghouls,” “Witch, please,” or whatever Halloween pun you love at your next October party.

More worth The Buy

The Wrap

Today’s edition by:
Morgan

From the editor

My most memorable moments at ACL were meeting some of you and admiring your festival fashion. I already can’t wait until next year.

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