Google unveils self-drive taxi

GOOGLE’S self-driving car spinoff could soon be a cash spinner after the launch of an automated taxi service.

Waymo, Google driverless car project running since 2009, has introduced a smallscale ride-hailing service in the Phoenix area.

But robots won’t have all the power in the new venture, with humans on hand in the driver seat in case of a malfunction.

Waymo cars have logged more than 16 million kilometres in 10 years.