Luo Mirror 
By Luo Mirror Correspondent | USA | 15th April 2026
Kenyan journalist Larry Madowo has offered a first-hand glimpse into the future of transport after experiencing a fully driverless taxi in the United States.
In a video shared on Wednesday, 15 April 2026, the CNN international correspondent captured his journey inside an autonomous vehicle operated by Waymo in Phoenix, Arizona.
The vehicle, which has no human driver, collected him from the airport after he booked the ride through a mobile application and transported him across the city to his hotel.
A Ride Without a Driver
Filming from inside the car, Madowo expressed amazement as the vehicle navigated traffic independently—stopping at lights, accelerating, and making turns without human intervention.
“This is a car that is driving itself,” he remarked, pointing out the absence of a driver’s seat occupant as the vehicle responded seamlessly to road conditions.
Throughout the journey, the car demonstrated the ability to react to its environment in real time, including slowing down for pedestrians and adjusting to traffic flow at junctions.
How the Technology Works
The vehicle is powered by the Waymo Driver system, a sophisticated combination of sensors and artificial intelligence.
This includes LiDAR (Light Detection and Ranging), which uses laser beams to generate a detailed three-dimensional map of the surroundings. The system is supported by radar and cameras that detect movement, speed, traffic signals, and obstacles—even in challenging weather conditions.
An onboard AI system then processes this data instantly, enabling the car to make driving decisions such as steering, braking, and route navigation without human input.
Growing Adoption of Autonomous Transport
Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., is widely regarded as a global leader in autonomous vehicle technology.
It currently operates commercial robotaxi services in several U.S. cities, including Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles, with expansion plans underway for Miami and Austin.
The company is among a growing number of firms investing heavily in driverless mobility. Others include Tesla, led by Elon Musk, which offers a supervised Full Self-Driving feature in multiple international markets.
A Glimpse Into the Future
The increasing deployment of autonomous vehicles reflects a broader shift in global transport, where technology firms are seeking to improve efficiency, reduce human error, and enhance road safety.
For audiences in Kenya and across Africa, Madowo’s experience provides a tangible look at innovations that could, in time, reshape urban mobility systems on the continent.
While widespread adoption remains some distance away in many developing regions, the rapid advancement of such technologies signals a future where driverless transport may become an everyday reality.
Technology Meets Everyday Life
As autonomous systems continue to evolve, they are raising important questions about safety, regulation, and the future of work in transport sectors worldwide.
Madowo’s journey, while brief, underscores a larger technological transition—one where artificial intelligence is steadily moving from the background into the driver’s seat.
