Waymo, the autonomous driving tech company behind the human-less ride shares taking over America’s major cities, is celebrating Autism Acceptance Month with everyone’s favorite wholesome show: Netflix‘s Love On The Spectrum.
In the latest episode of Driven — Waymo’s celebrity video series hosted by TV personality Andrew Freund — the company shines a spotlight on beau-of-the-moment Connor Tomlinson, star of the show’s recent hit season, as he hitches a ride in a Waymo. “It is mind blowing to be in a car that is fully autonomous,” Tomlinson tells Freund. “This reminds me of that scene in Jurassic Park.”
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For the second episode of the video series’ second season, Waymo brought in national nonprofit the Autism Society. According to the organization, autonomous vehicles can be a tool for greater independence among individuals in the Autism community, providing “consistent, safe, and predictable” modes of transit in a frequently hostile transportation space. Only a third of eligible adolescents with autism have a driver’s license, according to recent studies.
“Transportation is a critical barrier to independence and well-being for many in the Autism community, limiting access to employment, healthcare, support services, and social connection,” said Kristyn Roth, Chief Marketing Officer at the Autism Society of America. “Many autistic individuals rely on caregivers or public transit — systems that can be overwhelming, complex, or unreliable. These challenges can significantly restrict a person’s autonomy and self-determination.”
