Self driving cars are no longer a concept of the distant future. Companies like Waymo, the autonomous arm of Google’s parent company, Alphabet, are making driverless vehicles a reality in cities across the U.S. The once-dystopian dream is gradually becoming part of everyday life as more people experience autonomous rides. Here’s everything you need to Self driving know about Waymo’s expansion and what the future holds for self-driving cars.

Waymo’s Current Operations

Waymo is currently offering fully autonomous rides to the public in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles through the Waymo One app. These electric rides, powered by the all-electric Jaguar I-Pace, have been a huge hit, offering convenience and an entirely new way to travel. What was once a far-off possibility is now a reality. But Waymo isn’t stopping here—by 2025, the company plans to expand into more cities, including Atlanta and Miami.

Testing and Partnerships with Other Cities

The autonomous ride experience isn’t limited to just these cities. Waymo is also testing Self driving manually driven vehicles in 10 new cities, with Las Vegas and San Diego on the map for 2023. The company’s partnerships are ramping up as well—Waymo has teamed up with Hyundai to bring its cutting-edge technology into Ioniq 5 SUVs, which will also be part of its fleet in the coming years. In addition, the company plans to partner with Uber in 2024 to extend its robotaxi service to Austin and Atlanta. This collaboration will allow users to book a self-driving ride directly through the Uber app, expanding accessibility to autonomous vehicles for a larger group of people.

Addressing Safety Concerns

Despite its progress, Waymo hasn’t been immune to criticism. The company has faced Self driving several high-profile collisions, including incidents with a biker in San Francisco and a towed pickup truck in Phoenix. However, Waymo is taking safety seriously, continuously refining its technology to prevent such accidents. According to the company, their autonomous vehicles are 3.5 times better at avoiding crashes that cause injuries and 2 times better at avoiding police-reported accidents compared to human drivers. As part of its commitment to road safety, Waymo also launched a Self driving data hub to transparently share their safety efforts.

How to Use Waymo’s Robotaxis

For those fortunate enough to be in one of the areas where Waymo operates, hailing a robotaxi is simple:

Phoenix: The first city to offer fully autonomous rides, Phoenix has opened its service to the public. All you need is the Waymo One app, which operates 24/7, and you can get a ride without waiting in line. Uber users can also request a Waymo ride through the Uber app in the city.
San Francisco: The city followed Phoenix in offering self-driving cars in late 2022, expanding the service to a larger area. In addition to using the Waymo One app, riders can travel across 55 square miles of the Bay Area.
Los Angeles: Starting in late 2023, Waymo opened up its robotaxis to the public, making it easy to get around LA, which covers a 80-square-mile area, including popular spots like Santa Monica and Beverly Hills.
Austin and Atlanta: Starting in 2024, Austin and Atlanta will become part of the Waymo One network, with Uber managing the rides for even more users. The goal is to eventually have riders request these autonomous vehicles through the Uber app.

What’s Next?

In the future, Waymo plans to Self driving expand further, including into Miami by 2026. The company is also focusing on improving the technology used in its vehicles, with upcoming versions integrating more sophisticated sensors and becoming better equipped for extreme weather. Additionally, Waymo’s partnership with Hyundai will bring their sixth-generation self-driving technology into Ioniq 5 vehicles. These Self driving innovations show the company’s commitment to advancing self-driving tech and ensuring its mass adoption in everyday transportation.

While fully autonomous driving is still in its early stages, Waymo’s rapid growth, safety advancements, and new partnerships suggest a bright future for driverless cars. The dream of a world where self-driving vehicles are a regular mode of transportation is closer than ever before.