Waymo will roll out fully autonomous robotaxi rides on freeways in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and the Bay Area after declaring its system ready for wider deployment. The company plans major expansion, including cold-weather cities and new airport service in San ...

The Google-backed autonomous vehicle company made the announcement Wednesday. Freeway service will debut first in the San Francisco Bay Area, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. Waymo previously began testing freeway driving under human supervision in Phoenix in early 2024.

Waymo, Alphabet’s self-driving vehicle division, is expanding its autonomous robotaxi service to major highways in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, allowing riders to travel faster and farther for the first time.

Waymo expands its autonomous vehicle service to include freeways in Phoenix, sparking mixed reactions from local motorists about safety.

Waymo is set to become the first robotaxi provider in the U.S. to offer fully driverless rides on highways, beginning in major cities

While Waymo’s longtime rival Cruise is no longer in operation, it still faces competitors such as Zoox and Nuro, which are earlier in their deployment journeys. In 2024, Nuro expanded its capabilities using zero-occupant vehicles with the Nuro Driver system, while Zoox grew its operations in California and Nevada.

Autonomous robotaxi company Waymo announced it has expanded to San Jose and is offering curbside service to San Jose Mineta International Airport, the first airport in California to feature the driverless rides.