Waymo Launches Fully Driverless Robotaxi Service in Downtown Phoenix
Waymo removes human safety drivers from its downtown Phoenix robotaxi operations, initially offering the fully autonomous rides to employees before a public rollout. The company also begins autonomous testing at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
Waymo removes human safety drivers from its downtown Phoenix robotaxi operations as it transitions to fully autonomous rides. The Alphabet subsidiary currently limits these driverless journeys to employees, but it plans to open the service to the public in the coming weeks. This expansion relies on the fifth generation of the Waymo Driver system operating inside Jaguar I-PACE vehicles.
The driverless zone starts in the northeast section of downtown and gradually expands to cover central Phoenix, including midtown and south central areas. This milestone deepens Waymo's dominant position in a city where it has tested self-driving technology since 2016 and operated a fully autonomous public ride-hailing service since 2020.
In addition to the downtown expansion, Waymo begins driving autonomously at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport with a safety specialist in the vehicle. The Jaguar I-PACE fleet navigates the area around the 44th Street PHX Sky Train Station around the clock. Employees act as initial testers for these airport rides before Waymo eventually extends the service to the broader public.