Waymo Fires Back at Tesla’s Robotaxi Expansion in Austin
Waymo has made a bold move in response to Tesla’s recent expansion of its geofence for its driverless Robotaxi service in Austin, Texas. Earlier this week, Tesla announced that it had more than doubled its serviceable area in Austin to approximately 42 square miles, surpassing Waymo’s geofence of just 37 square miles.
This expansion by Tesla was seen as a significant statement, considering that the company has only been operating its driverless Robotaxi platform in Austin for less than a month, while Waymo has been there since March. However, Waymo has now upped the ante by extending its own geofence to cover a massive 90 square miles within Austin.
Waymo’s expanded geofence now includes new neighborhoods such as Crestview, Windsor Park, Sunset Valley, Franklin Park, as well as popular tourist destinations like The Domain and McKinney Falls State Park. This move signifies a major milestone for Waymo in Austin, allowing even more riders to experience the company’s fully autonomous vehicles through the Uber app.
Sarfraz Maredia, Global Head of Autonomous Mobility & Delivery at Uber, expressed excitement about the expanded service area, stating that it unlocks new opportunities for riders in Austin. Shweta Shrivastava, Senior Director of Product Management at Waymo, also shared her enthusiasm, highlighting the company’s commitment to providing a top-notch autonomous driving experience in Austin.
With this expansion, Waymo’s service area across the U.S. now spans more than 700 square miles, as the company also operates in California and Arizona. The competition between Waymo and Tesla in Austin is ultimately beneficial for consumers, as it pushes both companies to strive for excellence in their autonomous driving services.
Tesla’s initial geofence expansion in Austin was characterized by a unique shape that some interpreted as a playful jab at competitors. It will be interesting to see how Tesla responds to Waymo’s massive geofence extension and whether the company will continue with its humorous approach or adjust its strategy accordingly.
Overall, the rivalry between Waymo and Tesla in the autonomous driving space is heating up, and consumers can expect to benefit from continued innovation and expansion in the industry. As both companies vie for dominance in Austin and beyond, the future of autonomous driving looks promising for riders everywhere.