Waymo Launches Driverless Robotaxis on California, Arizona Freeways in First for US

Core Insights - Waymo is set to become the first robotaxi provider in the U.S. to offer driverless rides on highways, enhancing its competitive edge against ride-hailing and traditional taxi services [1][4]. Expansion of Services - Starting Wednesday, Waymo will offer routes that include freeways in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, available 24 hours a day for users who have opted into the new services [2][4]. - The company plans to gradually expand the new freeway service to more users over time, although no specific timeline for further market expansion has been provided [3][4]. Competitive Landscape - Waymo's move into commercial freeway service marks a significant turning point, allowing it to compete more effectively with rideshare and traditional taxi services that can operate on freeways [4]. - Other U.S. competitors, such as Tesla, are also testing highway driving but still require a human presence in the vehicle for safety [6]. Technology and Safety - Waymo utilizes the same software and sensor suite for freeway driving as it does for urban roads, supplemented by closed course and simulation testing to prepare for motorway conditions [7]. - The autonomous vehicles are designed to maintain traffic speed limits on highways and will seek safe spots to pull over if necessary [8]. Geographic Expansion - Waymo is expanding its coverage in the Bay Area to include San Jose, with new access to San Jose International Airport, charging the same airport access fee as other taxis [9]. - The fleet currently consists of 1,000 cars in the San Francisco Bay Area, 700 in Los Angeles, 500 in Phoenix, 200 in Austin, and 100 in Atlanta [10].