Waymo Taxis Begin Freeway Operations in Multiple Cities
Waymo, the autonomous vehicle company backed by Google, is set to launch freeway operations for its taxi service. This new service will initially be available in select cities, aimed at enhancing urban mobility. The announcement was made on a Wednesday, marking a significant milestone for the company.
Launch of Freeway Operations
Waymo’s freeway taxi service will first operate in the San Francisco Bay Area, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. This follows earlier testing that began in Phoenix under human supervision in early 2024. Dmitri Dolgov, co-CEO of Waymo, emphasized the challenges of mastering full autonomy on freeways without human backup, noting the extensive preparation involved.
Expansion Plans
The rollout of freeway operations will cater to a growing number of riders in these initial cities. Waymo also plans to expand its services to additional locations, including Austin and Atlanta, to meet increasing demand.
Safety Measures and Investigations
According to Waymo, their robotaxis are statistically safer than human-driven vehicles. The company reported significantly fewer accidents resulting in injuries to pedestrians, cyclists, and motorcyclists compared to conventional drivers. However, Waymo has faced scrutiny, including federal safety investigations by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).
- NHTSA is currently reviewing a potential incident involving a Waymo vehicle passing a stopped school bus.
- In May 2024, NHTSA opened an investigation into 22 reported collisions involving Waymo’s autonomous vehicles.
- Waymo voluntarily recalled 1,212 self-driving taxis in November 2024 to install a software update aimed at reducing collisions with stationary objects.
Future Plans
Waymo’s expanding service area now includes plans to reach London, Dallas, and Nashville by 2026. This rapid growth reflects the increasing confidence in autonomous driving technology and its ability to transform transportation in urban environments.
