Waymo Offers 100,000 Robotaxi Rides Weekly

Waymo has announced a significant increase in its robotaxi services, now providing over 100,000 paid rides weekly across the U.S., a substantial rise from the 50,000 rides reported in May. Co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana shared this milestone via LinkedIn, highlighting San Francisco as the leading city for trips among its operational markets, which also include Phoenix, Austin, and Los Angeles. This growth comes alongside Alphabet's recent $5 billion investment in Waymo, which has evolved from a self-driving project initiated in 2009. The company has unveiled its new "generation 6" self-driving system, designed to enhance service capabilities in various weather conditions while reducing reliance on expensive cameras and sensors. With a fleet of approximately 700 vehicles, Waymo operates the only commercial robotaxi service in the U.S., known as Waymo One. The company has also expanded its service area, adding 90 square miles in Phoenix and launching operations in new regions of San Francisco, including Daly City, Broadmoor, and Colma. Waymo claims its autonomous vehicles have demonstrated superior safety performance, stating that they are 3.5 times better at avoiding injury-causing crashes and three times better at preventing police-reported incidents compared to human drivers. Despite the presence of robotaxi services in China, Waymo faces limited competition domestically, as rivals like GM-owned Cruise have encountered operational setbacks, and other companies, including Uber and Ford, have ceased their robotaxi initiatives. As Waymo continues to expand its services, it is also working towards facilitating pickups and drop-offs at San Francisco International Airport, although this process is expected to be lengthy. While the company operates in Austin, it has yet to implement a paid service there, focusing its efforts on enhancing its presence in California and Arizona.