Waymo, the self-driving car subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., is set to expand its testing of autonomous vehicles onto the freeways of Phoenix, Arizona. In the coming weeks, Waymo’s fleet of driverless Jaguar I-Pace electric vehicles will begin extensive testing on Phoenix’s freeway system. Unlike Waymo One, which is available to regular customers, the initial phase of freeway testing will be limited to company employees and their guests.
The expansion to freeway testing comes after a year of testing with operators behind the wheel. Previously, Waymo’s robotaxis were only allowed on surface streets, resulting in longer travel times compared to human-driven taxis that could utilize freeways. Waymo provided an example of a trip from Sky Harbor International Airport to the northeastern area of Phoenix, which is expected to take half as much time using their robotaxis on freeways.
Waymo plans to open up the freeway service to the public once the vehicles have accumulated enough road time without incidents. Data collected during these tests will be used to optimize routes and enhance transportation efficiency around Phoenix airports.
This move showcases Waymo’s steady progress in the autonomous vehicle industry. The company has demonstrated an impressive safety record, with its driverless vehicles covering over seven million miles in California and Arizona and only three minor injuries reported. In contrast, competitors like Cruise have faced setbacks following incidents involving their robotaxis.
Waymo has also been expanding its services in the Phoenix region, introducing curbside drop-off and pickup services at the airport and integrating its autonomous vehicles into the Uber app. These developments further establish Waymo as a leader in the autonomous driving space, paving the way for a future where self-driving cars become a common sight on our roads.
The source of the article is from the blog mendozaextremo.com.ar