Autonomous vehicle service provider Waymo boosts the reach of its self-driving taxis in Phoenix by doubling their operational range.
Waymo Expands Autonomous Taxi Service in Phoenix and San Francisco
Waymo, Google's autonomous vehicle sector sibling, is making significant strides in expanding its driverless taxi service across two major cities - Phoenix, Arizona, and San Francisco, California.
In Phoenix, Waymo operates a mature, fully driverless robotaxi service that provides over 250,000 paid trips per week across more than 700 square miles. The company is expanding its fleet with a new 239,000-square-foot autonomous vehicle factory in the Phoenix area to add 2,000 more fully autonomous Jaguar I-Pace electric vehicles to its existing 1,500-vehicle fleet.
The expanded Phoenix service area includes suburbs such as Scottsdale, Tempe, Mesa, and Chandler, making it the largest fully autonomous service area in the world. Waymo is also testing the new all-electric Zeekr RT vehicle, designed without steering wheels or pedals, as a next-generation autonomous robotaxi. Phoenix has also become the first city to support Waymo’s new "teen accounts," allowing 14- to 17-year-olds to travel independently under parental supervision via the Waymo One app.
In San Francisco, Waymo has recently expanded its autonomous ride-hailing service by introducing self-driving Jaguar I-Pace electric vehicles to selected "trusted tester" customers. While these vehicles still operate with human backup drivers onboard, the company plans to transition to fully driverless operations like Phoenix over time. The program began with a limited number of testers and is now gradually expanding, with rides bookable via the Waymo One app.
Waymo's technological advancements include Level 4 autonomy (fully driverless within defined areas) using a combination of LiDAR, radar, cameras, and high-definition mapping for precise vehicle localization and environment perception. The company has also introduced new vehicle models such as the Zeekr RT, developed in partnership with Geely, which is purpose-built as a driverless taxi with no steering wheel or pedals.
Waymo is also collaborating with automakers like Toyota and Hyundai to integrate its sixth-generation autonomous technology into future electric vehicles. In San Francisco, Waymo has expanded service and has grown its tester program for employees and guests to include popular tourist destinations Fisherman's Wharf and North Beach.
Despite some challenges, such as a collision between a Cruise car and a San Francisco city bus earlier this year, Waymo remains at the forefront of the autonomous ride-hailing sector. The company has added tech updates to its driverless taxis, including improved hand gesture detection and increased capacity to manage inclement weather like dense fog. Waymo has also won a legal battle to retain the right to keep its accident data confidential.
Waymo's product executive, Sasway Panigrahi, stated that the latest expansions in Phoenix and San Francisco are a big step forward on the road to growing the company's business. The company continues to compete with Cruise, General Motors' robotaxis subsidiary, in both Phoenix and San Francisco. Rides in Phoenix now cost money and no longer require signing up for a waitlist.
As Waymo continues to innovate and grow, it is poised to revolutionize the transportation industry, making autonomous ride-hailing a viable and accessible option for millions of people around the world.
References:
[1] Waymo. (2021). Waymo's Latest Expansion in Phoenix, AZ. Retrieved from https://waymo.com/blog/latest-expansion-phoenix-az/
[2] Waymo. (2021). Waymo Expands Autonomous Ride-Hailing Service in San Francisco. Retrieved from https://waymo.com/blog/waymo-expands-autonomous-ride-hailing-service-in-san-francisco/
[3] Waymo. (2021). Waymo's Teen Accounts. Retrieved from https://waymo.com/blog/teens-ride-with-waymo/
[4] Waymo. (2021). Waymo's Latest Updates. Retrieved from https://waymo.com/blog/latest-updates/
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