104-Year-Old Takes First Ride In Driverless Car

A 104-year-old Houston man who has witnessed more than a century of automotive history experienced a fully autonomous vehicle for the first time Wednesday.

Karl Schmitt took his first ride in a Waymo driverless vehicle on August 26, 2026, in Houston’s West University area.

Born during an era when the Ford Model T was still on the road, Schmitt has lived through generations of automotive innovation — from the early days of mass-produced automobiles to vehicles capable of navigating city streets without a human driver.

Following his first autonomous ride, Schmitt was presented with a Waymo Century Club jacket commemorating the milestone.

The event also highlighted the potential for autonomous transportation to provide greater independence for older adults who may no longer be able to drive themselves.

Waymo launched its Houston service in February and has since expanded its local service area.

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