Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Waymo Accelerates Robotaxi Expansion to San Diego, Las Vegas and Detroit

The rollout starts with manual mapping, with full service contingent on state and local approvals.

Overview

  • Waymo said its vehicles will begin manual drives in Detroit this week to learn city streets before transitioning to autonomous operations.
  • Service in Las Vegas is slated to begin next summer, while San Diego is planned for next year without a specific start date.
  • The company will deploy a mixed fleet that includes Jaguar I‑PACE vehicles with the 5th‑gen Waymo Driver and Zeekr RT vehicles equipped with the 6th‑gen system designed for harsher conditions.
  • Commercial launches in Nevada and Michigan still require permissions, including a Michigan Transportation Network Company permit and approvals from Nevada’s DMV and transportation authority.
  • Waymo already operates fully driverless ride-hailing in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin and Atlanta, and local officials and advocacy groups in the new markets have welcomed the expansion.