DJing Live in a Self-Driving Car: My First Waymo Mix

I’d had this idea for a while: get into a self-driving car, bring a DJ setup, and record a mix while riding through San Francisco. I couldn’t wait for Waymo rides to become available to the public so I could finally try it.

The ride started at Twin Peaks and took us through Haight-Ashbury, Pacific Heights, and the Presidio, continuing around the Golden Gate Bridge, Lands End, and Ocean Beach. The city became the backdrop for the set, changing outside the windows as I mixed.

A DJ Setup in the Back Seat

My setup was a Pioneer DDJ-400, a laptop, and a Soundcore Rave Mini speaker. No booth or table—just the gear, limited space, and a controller balanced on my lap.

It was a different kind of setup from playing a venue, but that was part of the appeal: seeing whether I could take the experience somewhere unexpected.

Mixing While the City Moves Around You

DJing in a moving car feels different. Instead of looking out at a dance floor, I was watching San Francisco pass by—neighborhoods, streets, and stretches of coastline—while finding the next track and working through transitions.

With the car handling the driving, I could focus on the music and enjoy the ride.

From an Idea to a Recorded Mix

What made this special was finally getting to do something I’d imagined for so long. Once public Waymo rides became available, the idea felt within reach.

A controller, a laptop, a speaker, and a ride through the city—that was enough to turn it into a real set.