Waymo Expands Robotaxi Freeway Service to Three Major Markets

Waymo, the autonomous driving unit of Alphabet, is now offering paid robotaxi rides on freeways in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, a significant leap forward for the driverless ride-hailing industry. This expansion marks a pivotal moment as truly autonomous vehicles navigate high-speed, complex freeway environments, a feat many companies have struggled to achieve at scale.

The service will be available “when a freeway route is meaningfully faster,” according to Waymo. This strategic rollout allows the company to manage complexity and prioritize customer convenience. Over time, Waymo plans to progressively expand freeway trips to accommodate more riders and locations, gathering invaluable real-world data to refine its algorithms and systems.

While Waymo’s vehicles have operated on surface streets and smaller highways, this freeway foray represents the first instance of the company charging public riders for autonomous transportation on high-speed roadways.

“Freeway driving is one of those things that’s very easy to learn, but very hard to master when we’re talking about full autonomy without a human driver as a backup, and at scale,” stated Waymo co-CEO Dmitri Dolgov. “It took time to do it properly.” This cautious approach underscores the technical challenges of ensuring safety and reliability in dynamic, high-speed environments.

Waymo vehicles will generally adhere to posted freeway speed limits, often 65 mph. However, a company spokesperson indicated that the robotaxis might occasionally exceed the limit slightly under extraordinary circumstances, prioritizing safety. This nuance highlights the sophistication of Waymo’s AI, which must constantly assess risk and make real-time decisions to ensure passenger well-being.

Integrating freeway operations necessitated enhanced operational protocols, including close collaboration with safety authorities like the California Highway Patrol and the Arizona Department of Public Safety. Waymo has also invested in additional charging infrastructure to support its all-electric robotaxi fleet, recognizing the increased energy demands associated with freeway driving.

For the past year, Waymo has been conducting internal testing, offering robotaxi freeway rides to select Alphabet employees in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix. This extensive internal testing phase allowed the company to rigorously evaluate its technology and gather crucial feedback before launching the service to the broader public, following over a decade of overall testing. The company also leverages simulations to model a range of scenarios, from common occurrences like merging onto freeways to rare events like vehicle rollovers, ensuring that its autonomous system is prepared for almost any possibility. This includes the complexities of lane-splitting motorcyclists, a particularly challenging scenario for autonomous vehicles.

CNBC recently experienced a freeway test ride in a Waymo vehicle in the San Francisco Bay Area and found the ride smooth. The vehicle executed on and off-ramp maneuvers along California 101 without any issues. This real-world demonstration showcases the progress Waymo has made in refining its autonomous driving capabilities.

Building upon its existing robotaxi services in Austin, Texas, San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, Waymo has unveiled plans to extend its reach to Miami, San Diego, and Washington, D.C., in 2026. The company is actively testing its vehicles in New York City, Tokyo, and plans to initiate public rides in London next year. These strategic expansions demonstrate Waymo’s commitment to becoming a global leader in autonomous transportation. Tokyo, in particular, presents a unique set of challenges and opportunities due to its dense urban environment and distinct traffic patterns.

Waymo also announced an expansion of its service area in the San Francisco Bay Area to include San Jose, with rides to and from San Jose Mineta International Airport (SJC). This marks Waymo’s second airport destination, following Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, which has proven to be a popular destination. The addition of SJC provides a valuable service to travelers and expands Waymo’s market reach within Silicon Valley. The San Jose airport initiative was originally unveiled in September, with extensive testing and mapping preceding the public launch.

In 2023, Waymo launched at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport which has since become the highest volume destination in the Phoenix, AZ metro area. This data point reinforces the customer demand for autonomous transportation to and from airports, and demonstrates the appeal of having a consistent and reliable mode of transportation especially for frequent fliers.

The autonomous driving sector is marked by heavy investment and intense technical progress. Waymo’s service area in Silicon Valley grew by 27 square miles in March, incorporating cities such as Mountain View and Palo Alto. Following this expansion, Waymo’s Silicon Valley coverage zone encompasses approximately 260 square miles.

While Tesla also offers transportation to and from SJC through its “Robotaxi” app, it’s essential to note that Tesla currently relies on human drivers due to limitations in their autonomous driving technology and permit restrictions. Tesla’s “Full Self-Driving” (FSD) system remains under development and subject to ongoing debate regarding its safety and capabilities. Waymo is thus positioned as the only company currently providing truly driverless commercial transport.

The race to achieve full autonomy is far from over, but Waymo’s advancements in freeway driving solidify its position at the forefront of this transformative technology. The company’s strategic expansion and commitment to safety suggest a promising future for autonomous transportation.