Alphabet's Waymo to Expand Autonomous Driving Testing to Over 10 New Cities
Alphabet's self-driving unit, Waymo, has revealed plans to broaden the testing of its autonomous driving technology in more than 10 new cities by 2025. The company has expressed confidence in the adaptability of its Waymo Driver technology to new environments, prompting this expansion.
Apart from the current testing locations in Truckee, Michigan's Upper Peninsula, Upstate New York, and Tokyo, Waymo's expansion will encompass trials in San Diego and Las Vegas, with additional cities yet to be disclosed. A Waymo spokeswoman stated, "During these trips, we'll send a limited fleet of vehicles to each city, where trained human autonomous specialists will be behind the wheel at all times."
The testing initiative will commence with manual driving in the most congested and intricate parts of each city, including city centres and highways. Reports indicate that Waymo intends to dispatch fewer than 10 vehicles to each city, where they will be manually operated for a few months.
In December, Waymo announced the extension of its autonomous ride-hailing services to Miami, Florida, marking another city in its operational network as it strives to establish a competitive advantage in the evolving market landscape. The company is facing heightened scrutiny from safety regulators following several incidents involving autonomous driving technology.
Waymo disclosed in October that it had concluded a $5.6 billion funding round spearheaded by Google-parent Alphabet, as part of its efforts to enhance its autonomous ride-hailing service.
Waymo to expand autonomous driving testing to over 10 new cities by 2025
Testing to include manual driving in dense urban areas
Waymo recently extended autonomous ride-hailing services to Miami, Florida
Source: REUTERS