Summary: Waymo, a leader in autonomous vehicle technology, announced its intention to begin testing driverless passenger vehicles on highways this month. The company plans to deploy its autonomous Jaguar I-Pace SUVs to shuttle employees along freeways in Phoenix, Arizona. If successful, this milestone will pave the way for expanded commercial operations. Waymo’s aim is to eventually offer driverless highway services to regular customers, but no specific timeline has been provided.
The move to test its autonomous cars on highways marks yet another significant stride for Waymo, particularly in the Phoenix area. In recent months, the company introduced curbside drop-off and pickup services at the Phoenix airport and made its autonomous vehicles available through the Uber app.
Waymo’s progress in the field of self-driving technology sets it apart from competitors, such as Cruise, which has faced difficulties in keeping up. Following a pedestrian accident involving one of its robotaxis, Cruise reduced its workforce and experienced a management reshuffle.
While Waymo has encountered some challenges along the way, including diverting resources from its autonomous trucking project to focus more on ride-hailing, the company’s extensive testing in Arizona has provided valuable insights and knowledge. This accumulated experience is now aiding the full-scale launch of Waymo’s passenger vehicle program on highways.
By embarking on highway testing, Waymo is further solidifying its position as a frontrunner in the autonomous vehicle industry. The company’s successful execution of this phase will unlock new opportunities for extensive commercial operations, potentially revolutionizing the way people travel.
The source of the article is from the blog japan-pc.jp