Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Waymo Starts Fully Driverless Freeway Rides in San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles and Phoenix

Waymo begins with opt-in access after a year of freeway trials under protocols coordinated with highway patrols.

Overview

  • Freeway routing is initially limited to early-access riders who opt in within the app, with broader availability planned over time.
  • The Bay Area service now reaches San Jose, including 24/7 curbside pickup and drop-off at Mineta International Airport, as the regional fleet grows from 800-plus to more than 1,000 robotaxis.
  • Vehicles generally honor posted speed limits up to about 65 mph, with brief exceptions of a few mph in rare safety cases, under procedures developed with the California Highway Patrol and Arizona Department of Public Safety.
  • Preparation included over a year of employee-and-guest freeway rides, closed-course testing and extensive simulation to address high-speed hazards such as aggressive cut-ins, construction and hydroplaning.
  • The rollout advances a paid, rider-only service while safety probes and past incidents remain under review, with Waymo pointing to roughly 100 million driverless miles and favorable internal safety metrics.