Waymo Launches 24/7 Robotaxi Service in Silicon Valley, Expanding Autonomous Ride-Hailing
Staff Editor Waymo Expands Robotaxi Service to Silicon Valley Public
Waymo, the autonomous driving technology company, has announced the expansion of its robotaxi service to the public in Silicon Valley. The Waymo One app will now be available 24/7 to select customers within a 27-square-mile area, encompassing Mountain View, Palo Alto, Los Altos, and parts of Sunnyvale. This marks a significant shift from the previous limitation of access to Waymo employees only.
The initial rollout will be invite-only for select Waymo One customers residing within the service area. The company plans to gradually increase the number of riders and encourages interested customers to regularly check the Waymo One app for updates on access availability.
In a parallel development, Waymo has launched a partnership with Uber in Austin, Texas. This collaboration allows Uber customers to be matched with a Waymo robotaxi within a designated area. The partnership is set to expand to Atlanta later this year, while Waymo continues to operate its own app in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix.
The Silicon Valley launch holds particular significance for Waymo, as it represents a return to the company’s roots. Originally part of Google’s self-driving car project within its R&D lab, X, the initiative began in 2009 when Google founders challenged engineers to complete autonomous routes in Silicon Valley. The project later evolved into an independent company, Waymo, headquartered in Mountain View.
This expansion marks a full circle for Waymo in its original location. The company aims to provide seamless rides, enhance street safety, and promote sustainable transportation. As Waymo continues its journey in the Bay Area, this launch represents a milestone in the development and implementation of autonomous driving technology.
