I always assumed this was the only reason they entered this market at all

like black mirror: ads on every surface, with sound, and if you close your eyes the vehicle stops

I can see it now:

* Waymo as you go - no ads, up front cost of $50 per ride to unlock then 0.50/mi mileage fee after 5 miles (get em hooked)

* Waymo Standard Plan w/ Ads, 3 rides per month included then adhoc charge per ride (unlimited miles). May pick up other “standard” passengers en route to final destination

* Waymo Plus w/ fewer ads, 10 rides per month. Priority seating/delivery

* Waymo Luxx (no ads, more coverage , free rides all month, high priority)

* Waymo God - same as lux but now you have access to api data of the vehicles, riders, audio data, video data, and historical routes. Great for your local LEOs or federal bois.

Nah, first you expand to capture as much of the market as you can, then you exploit it for profit.

They're very much in the first phase right now.

I live in a remote town. Whenever I go to the big city and catch a train I’m utterly flabbergasted by all the advertisements on the platforms and in the actual trains. No wonder everyone looks like a zombie.