Waymo, the self-driving company owned by Alphabet, has expanded its testing and deployment of robotaxis to Atlanta. The company plans to deploy a few manually driven cars in the city to gather mapping data and become familiar with the environment. Eventually, Waymo aims to test its robotaxis in Atlanta without a safety driver in the front seat.
Georgia, like many other states, has minimal regulations for autonomous vehicles (AVs), allowing Waymo to potentially operate fully autonomous vehicles without safety drivers, as long as they meet the state’s risk conditions. However, Waymo has not confirmed whether it plans to launch commercially in Atlanta or any other cities where it is collecting mapping data.
Waymo’s focus is on scaling its fully autonomous Waymo One ride-hailing service in the cities where it operates. The company is committed to advancing its autonomous technology responsibly and safely. Waymo has been expanding its presence in several cities recently. Last week, it launched paid robotaxi rides in Los Angeles. In March, California regulators approved Waymo to expand its commercial robotaxi service across the San Francisco peninsula and on San Francisco freeways, including routes to San Francisco International Airport. Waymo has also been offering rides to and from Phoenix’s airport since 2022 and recently expanded its services to include curbside drop-off and pickup.
In addition to Atlanta, Waymo has been conducting mapping and testing in other cities, such as Washington, D.C., and Buffalo. The company has also started offering driverless rides to employees in Austin and plans to make the service available to the public later this year.
Waymo’s recent progress is reminiscent of Cruise, another self-driving company that increased its activity last year. Cruise conducted initial data collection in Atlanta, Seattle, Washington, D.C., Las Vegas, and other cities. It also tested its robotaxis in Austin, Houston, Dallas, and Miami, and operated a limited robotaxi service in Phoenix. However, Cruise’s expansion plans faced setbacks after an incident in San Francisco led to the suspension of permits and the grounding of its fleet.
While Waymo has generally been praised for its cautious approach, it is not without its faults. In February, the company recalled the software powering its robotaxi fleet after two vehicles crashed into the same towed pickup truck. Additionally, a Waymo robotaxi was involved in an accident that resulted in the death of a dog in June 2023.
Overall, Waymo’s expansion into Atlanta demonstrates its commitment to testing and deploying autonomous vehicles in various environments. The company’s cautious approach and focus on safety are crucial in gaining public trust as self-driving technology continues to evolve.
