Waymo's Robotaxi Revolutionizes Music Experience! Robotaxi Becomes the "Third Listening Room" — Waymo Takes Music Experience a Step Further

1. What Has Started

Waymo has officially started its integration with Spotify. By selecting Spotify from "Music" within the Waymo app and authorizing it, passengers can access Spotify on the rear seat touchscreen during rides, and also control music selection and playback through the regular app operations on their smartphones. It supports autoplay on/off and adjustments to the equalizer (balance/fade, subwoofer, bass/treble). The service is available in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, with plans for expansion. The integration is retained for future rides, but playback resets after disembarking. Waymo

2. Where Were the Previous "Dissatisfactions"?

Previously, Waymo mainly relied on iHeartRadio curation and a workaround to play Spotify via Google Assistant. There was dissatisfaction with the freedom and reliability of music selection, creating a gap where the music experience felt outdated compared to the latest in autonomous driving. This integration bridges that "gap" and promotes the transformation of the rear seat into a "personal space." WaymoTechCrunch

3. Setup and Usability

• Connecting from the App: Waymo app → Account → Music → Select and authorize Spotify. QR code connection is also possible from inside the vehicle. Waymo

• Playback Continuation: Automatically resumes from the last song or podcast upon boarding (controllable via autoplay settings). TechCrunch

• Control: Operable from both the rear seat screen and the Spotify app on smartphones. TechCrunch

• Collaborative Playback: Only the person who initiated can control, but with Spotify Premium, fellow passengers can join the queue with "Jam." Waymo

• Sound Customization: Customize the "in-car sound" to your liking with the equalizer. Waymo

4. Personalization Drives "Preferred Purchase"

In practical reviews by tech media, while Spotify integration itself is "not new," it is pointed out as an important element that makes the back seat of a robotaxi feel like "your own room." Support for Apple Music is "under consideration," but the timing is undecided. The implication that comfort in details could be a reason to choose Waymo again next time is significant. TechCrunch

5. Understanding "Expectations" and "Reality" Through SNS Reactions

Official Announcements
Waymo's official account announced on X, Threads, and Instagram that "Spotify has been integrated into the Waymo app." They promoted the experience of "immediately playing your own music upon boarding" with short videos. X (formerly Twitter)ThreadsInstagram

Welcoming Mood
Welcoming tweets like "It's helpful not having to fiddle with Google Assistant anymore" are also seen, highlighting the appreciation for reduced complexity. X (formerly Twitter)

"Beta Display" and Instability
On the other hand, reports on Reddit mention issues like "Spotify not appearing in the menu" and the need for device or app updates due to "beta status," as well as past threads about "casting not connecting" and "only working via Assistant." There still seems to be variability due to phased rollouts and environment dependencies. Reddit+2Reddit+2

"It Was Possible Before" Argument
"Actually, Spotify playback via Google Assistant has been possible for months. This time, a direct route in the app was established"—such voices from veteran users also reinforce the context of this official integration. Reddit

6. Privacy and Consent

When integrating the app, there is a flow to grant Waymo access to listening information. Understanding the trade-off between convenience and privacy, users can disconnect from the app settings if no longer needed. TechCrunchWaymo

7. Competitors, Surrounding Trends, and Future

In competing autonomous driving/robotaxi services, the design of "bringing your own account" is becoming standard. Waymo has started with Spotify, refining the experience of **"listening to your continuation immediately upon boarding"** with features like equalizer, autoplay, and Jam support. Expanding to Apple Music and others, as well as extending "mobility × entertainment" to video, games, and shopping, should change the value proposition of urban transportation. Waymo

8. Tips for Mastery (Summary)

1. Install the latest version of the Waymo app in advance and connect to Spotify via "Music."

2. Before boarding, play one song of the content you want to listen to on your smartphone to easily start from where you left off with autoplay.

3. Immediately after boarding, tap Spotify on the rear seat screen → adjust the sound with the equalizer if necessary.

4. If you have fellow passengers, use Premium's "Jam" to collaboratively edit the playlist. WaymoTechCrunch