Waymo Expands Driverless Service to Denver & Seattle

Waymo Expands Autonomous Vehicle Testing to Denver and Seattle

Waymo revealed on Tuesday its intention to deploy both of its vehicle platforms – the Jaguar I-Pace SUV and the Zeekr van – to Denver and Seattle, commencing this week. This represents the latest phase in the company’s ongoing nationwide expansion.

Initially, the vehicles will operate with human drivers. Following this, Waymo will begin evaluating its autonomous technology within these urban environments.

Robotaxi Services Anticipated

Waymo communicated to TechCrunch its expectation of initiating robotaxi services in Denver within the coming year. Service in the greater Seattle area is planned “as soon as regulatory approval is granted.”

Denver and Seattle are notable as locations experiencing challenging weather conditions. This provides Waymo with the opportunity to assess its systems’ performance in snow, wind, and rainfall – conditions less frequently encountered in test locations like Phoenix.

Growing U.S. Operational Footprint

These new cities augment an expanding roster of locations where Waymo is currently active in the United States. The company recently reported a fleet exceeding 2,000 robotaxis operating commercially across the country.

800 vehicles are deployed in the San Francisco Bay Area.
500 vehicles operate in Los Angeles.
400 vehicles are serving customers in Phoenix.
100 vehicles are available in Austin.
“Dozens” of vehicles are running in Atlanta.

Waymo has also publicized intentions to launch commercial robotaxi services in Dallas, Miami, and Washington, D.C. next year. Furthermore, the company recently secured a permit to initiate testing procedures in New York City.

Expanding Testing and Road Trips

Beyond these core operational areas, Waymo has undertaken testing initiatives in other cities. Vehicles have completed “road trips” to Philadelphia, with similar plans in place for Las Vegas, San Diego, Houston, Orlando, and San Antonio.

These expanded testing efforts demonstrate Waymo’s commitment to refining its autonomous driving system across a diverse range of geographical locations and environmental conditions.