Waymo Expands Robotaxi Operations to US Highways

Waymo, the autonomous vehicle division of Alphabet, has announced a significant expansion in the operational capabilities of its self-driving taxi fleet. The company's autonomous vehicles, previously limited to city streets, are now permitted to operate on highways, marking a new stage in the advancement of autonomous transportation in the United States.

This development applies to major metropolitan areas, including Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Phoenix, where Waymo's robotaxis are already active. The service area has also been broadened in the Bay Area to include routes from San Francisco to San José, including access to the San José Mineta International Airport. Plans for expanding services to additional cities such as Austin and Atlanta are also underway.

Highways, or freeways as they are known in the US, differ from German autobahns in that they have regulated speed limits, typically ranging from 55 mph (89 km/h) to 80 mph (129 km/h), depending on state and local laws. Waymo's move to allow autonomous vehicles on these high-speed roads follows a period of extensive testing, during which its fleet accumulated millions of miles in highway conditions. The company reports that these tests ensured the vehicles' ability to handle the complex dynamics of highway driving, including lane changes, merging traffic, and higher speeds, with a high degree of safety and reliability.

Until now, Waymo's autonomous taxis have primarily operated within city environments, occasionally using urban freeways. The shift to permitting full highway travel represents a milestone in the deployment of self-driving technology, enabling more convenient and efficient journeys for users who require longer trips across different parts of metropolitan regions.

Waymo stands out as the only robotaxi provider in the United States currently authorized to transport passengers autonomously, without a safety driver present in the vehicle. This distinguishes it from other competitors in the sector, such as Tesla, which has claimed to equip most of its new vehicles with autonomous driving technology. Despite these claims, Tesla's own ride-hailing operations are currently limited in scope, restricted to certain areas in Austin, Texas, and Silicon Valley. Furthermore, Tesla vehicles still require a safety driver onboard during service, and the fleet size remains relatively small compared to Waymo's coverage.

Waymo's fleet, composed mainly of converted electric Jaguar I-Pace vehicles, is reported to be completing around 250,000 paid trips each week across its service areas. The company has also announced future plans to bring its robotaxi service to London in 2026, indicating an international expansion strategy aimed at establishing a broader presence in the autonomous mobility market.

The expansion of highway operations is expected to enhance the overall efficiency and practicality of Waymo's services, catering to increasing public demand for flexible, safe, and driverless transportation options. The company continues to invest in the development of its technologies, aiming to maintain a leading position in the evolving market for autonomous vehicles as regulatory approvals and public adoption advance.