Waymo’s Latest Expansion

Waymo disclosed that it will bring both of its current vehicle models—the Jaguar I‑Pace electric SUV and the Zeekr‑manufactured van—to the Denver and Seattle markets starting this week. The rollout will begin with manually driven operations while the company prepares for autonomous testing in each city.

Timeline and Regulatory Outlook

The firm hopes to begin offering robotaxi trips in Denver next year and to start service in Seattle "as soon as we’re permitted to do so," according to the company’s statements. Both cities present challenging weather conditions, giving Waymo an opportunity to evaluate its technology in snow, wind and rain, environments less common in markets such as Phoenix.

Broader U.S. Presence

Denver and Seattle join a rapidly expanding roster of U.S. locations where Waymo operates. The company now fields more than 2,000 robotaxis across the country, with 800 in the San Francisco Bay Area, 500 in Los Angeles, 400 in Phoenix, 100 in Austin, and dozens in Atlanta. Recent permits also allow testing in New York City, and Waymo has announced plans to launch commercial robotaxi services in Dallas, Miami and Washington, D.C. next year.

Strategic Road Trips and Future Targets

Beyond its permanent bases, Waymo has conducted “road trips” to test its fleet in additional markets, and it is planning similar deployments in Las Vegas, San Diego, Houston, Orlando and San Antonio. These exploratory efforts complement the company’s broader strategy of building a nationwide autonomous‑mobility network.

Implications for the Autonomous‑Vehicle Landscape

By adding Denver and Seattle, Waymo not only broadens its geographic coverage but also gathers valuable data on operating autonomous vehicles in harsher climates. The expansion underscores the firm’s confidence in its technology and its ambition to become a leading provider of robotaxi services across diverse U.S. regions.

Usado: News Factory APP - descoberta e automação de notícias - ChatGPT para Empresas