Waymo Opens Fully Driverless Robotaxi Service to All in Downtown Phoenix
Waymo now allows the general public to hail fully driverless ride-hail vehicles in downtown Phoenix around the clock. This commercial expansion highlights the company's accelerated push toward widespread autonomous transportation.
Waymo opens its fully driverless ride-hail service in downtown Phoenix to the general public, moving beyond its previous "trusted tester" program. This expansion marks a significant step in the company's accelerated push toward commercialization, offering a paid, 24/7 service to anyone who downloads the Waymo app within the designated downtown service area.
This launch in Phoenix comes just one day after Waymo secures a driverless deployment permit from the California Department of Motor Vehicles. That crucial state approval allows the company to charge for autonomous services like delivery in San Francisco and serves as a mandatory prerequisite for obtaining a commercial robotaxi permit from the California Public Utilities Commission.
The new downtown Phoenix operation mirrors the successful model Waymo operates in Chandler, Arizona. While the company keeps its exact fleet size private, a spokesperson confirms that Waymo is prepared to meet a projected "healthy demand" for continuous autonomous rides as it plans to expand further into the downtown area in the coming months.