Waymo, Alphabet’s autonomous vehicle company, has taken a big step toward improving the passenger experience by integrating Spotify directly into its robotaxis. For years, riders could only choose from limited music stations like lo-fi beats, smooth jazz, or K-pop — hardly enough for passengers who wanted their own playlists or favorite podcasts.
Previously, streaming music in a Waymo was a cumbersome process, requiring iPhone users to download the Google Assistant app, connect Spotify, and hope it worked reliably before the trip ended. Now, with seamless Spotify integration, passengers can enjoy a much more personalized ride.
Setting it up is simple: open the Waymo app, head to the “Music” section, and connect your Spotify account. Once linked, riders can select Spotify directly from the backseat touchscreen, pick up where they left off on a song or podcast, or choose from familiar playlists like Daylist. Autoplay can even start your content automatically when you enter the vehicle.
The best part? You can control the music directly from your smartphone, much like using Apple CarPlay or a Bluetooth speaker. You can also tweak bass, treble, and subwoofer levels for the perfect in-ride sound.
While Apple Music integration isn’t available yet, Waymo says it’s exploring more personalization options. This Spotify feature might not be the flashiest innovation in autonomous driving, but it makes Waymo robotaxi rides feel more like your own space and that personal touch could keep riders coming back.
