Waymo has announced an expansion of its robotaxi service to encompass an additional 27 square miles in the San Francisco Bay Area. This move allows passengers to travel around Mountain View, Los Altos, Palo Alto, and parts of Sunnyvale, California. The Alphabet-owned company initially launched its robotaxi service to the general public in San Francisco back in June.
Expansion Details
Currently, the service will be limited to those residing within specific ZIP codes as part of an initial rollout via the Waymo One app. The company intends to gradually expand access to more riders in the area over time. The fleet will consist of fully electric Jaguar I-Pace vehicles equipped with Waymo’s fifth-generation self-driving technologies.
Strategic Milestone
“This marks a significant milestone for our Bay Area journey,” stated Waymo’s product chief, Saswat Panigrahi. “This is where our journey began, and where our headquarters are located.”
Waymo previously extended its San Francisco Bay Area robotaxi service into areas such as Daly City, Broadmoor, and Colma last summer. However, robotaxi services do not extend to San Francisco International Airport just yet.
Future Plans
A company spokesperson indicated that Waymo is actively discussing the potential to connect Silicon Valley and San Francisco to enable seamless autonomous transportation across a wider swath of the region.
Additionally, Waymo recently launched its commercial robotaxi service in Austin, Texas, in time for the South by Southwest festival, expanding its geographical footprint significantly.
While competition remains strong from companies like Tesla and Zoox, Waymo has established a lead in the U.S. self-driving market. Prior to the latest expansion announcement, Waymo reported over 200,000 paid trips each week across major cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix.
Though Alphabet does not break down the financial performance of its autonomous vehicle initiatives, they are classified under its “Other Bets” sector. In the fourth quarter of 2024, this segment generated $400 million, albeit with operating losses amounting to $1.17 billion, as detailed in recent financial filings.
- Expansion into new areas includes Mountain View, Los Altos, Palo Alto, and Sunnyvale.
- Limited availability for residents via the Waymo One app currently.
- The fleet uses electric Jaguar I-Pace vehicles with advanced self-driving technology.
As Waymo continues to develop its services, the increasing availability of autonomous transport options will likely change how residents navigate their communities, ushering in a new era of mobility.
