Waymo robotaxis are now giving rides on freeways in LA, San Francisco, and Phoenix

Core Insights - Waymo is expanding its robotaxi services to include freeway rides in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, which is expected to reduce ride times by up to 50% [3][4] - The expansion will create a unified 260-mile service area that includes San Jose, with curbside drop-off and pick-up services at San Jose Mineta International Airport [5] Company Developments - The company has been testing freeway driving for over a year, focusing on system safety and reliability [10] - Waymo's robotaxis have been spotted on freeways, and the company has provided rides to employees to validate the system [10][11] - The operational protocols have been expanded to coordinate with safety officials like the California Highway Patrol for freeway operations [13] Technical Challenges - Freeway driving, while perceived as easier, presents unique challenges due to the infrequency of critical events, which limits exposure to rare scenarios for the self-driving system [11] - The company has supplemented public road driving with closed course and simulation testing to ensure smooth transitions between freeways and surface streets [12]