Waymo Expands Testing to Four New U.S. Cities
Waymo, the self-driving technology company, is once again ramping up its operations across the United States, with the recent announcement that it has commenced testing in four new cities: Baltimore, St. Louis, Pittsburgh, and Philadelphia. The company’s initial focus will be on manual driving to map local roads, gather data, and pave the way for future driverless robotaxi services.
This latest expansion comes on the heels of Waymo’s recent launch in five major U.S. cities, including Miami, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando. The company has also revealed plans to re-enter the New York City market with safety drivers initially, as well as its intention to introduce fully autonomous ride-hailing services in London by 2026.
Each of the newly added cities presents unique opportunities for Waymo as it aims to establish a fully driverless fleet in the future. In St. Louis, the company will utilize its Jaguar I-PACE electric vehicles for manual mapping, while developing a safety framework similar to its existing markets. State officials in Missouri, including the House Speaker, have expressed enthusiasm for Waymo’s presence.
In Baltimore, Waymo is collaborating with state leaders to navigate the regulatory landscape for deployment. Organizations like the National Federation of the Blind anticipate that autonomous ride-hailing services could enhance mobility and accessibility for residents facing transportation challenges.
Philadelphia has already seen progress, with Waymo transitioning from manual to autonomous testing earlier this year. The company is focused on validating its autonomous “Waymo Driver” system before a full commercial launch in the city.
Pittsburgh, a key hub for autonomous vehicle development, will host Waymo’s 5th- and 6th-generation platforms as data collection efforts begin in the downtown area.
These new cities are part of Waymo’s methodical and safety-oriented approach to expansion, similar to its strategies in Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. The company recently introduced freeway driving and airport access in these regions, enhancing the convenience and utility of its services ahead of broader national and international rollouts.
With over 100 million fully autonomous miles driven in public traffic, Waymo’s expansion into these cities marks another milestone in refining and validating its next-generation driverless technology. Stay tuned for more updates as the company continues to push the boundaries of autonomous transportation.