Waymo begins giving rides without human backup driver [Video]

The drives appear uneventful, aside from a few giggles and yawns.

Waymo has released a promotional video showing its Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid fleet taking riders around Phoenix suburbs with no human backup driver behind the wheel.

Arizona is home to the company's "early rider" program, paving the way for formal service rollout to the general public.

The video shows uneventful drives, with a few comments on the strangeness of the experience. Some riders yawn and one appears to take a nap while the car drives itself.

Waymo appears to have a solid lead in the market. It will be difficult to gauge the length of the head start, though some estimates suggest Google's business could be years ahead of any other startup or established automaker.