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Waymo Starts Safety-Driver Road Trips in Philadelphia, Seeks New York Test Permit

Waymo is gathering mapping data through human-overseen drives in Philadelphia as a precursor to commercial robotaxi service.

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Overview

  • Waymo’s limited fleet will operate with safety drivers across downtown Philadelphia, freeways and neighborhoods from North Central to the Delaware River through the fall.
  • The company applied last month to test its autonomous vehicles in New York City with human monitors but is awaiting a permit from the city’s Department of Transportation.
  • These road-trip deployments are designed to gather detailed mapping data and evaluate Waymo Driver’s performance in varied traffic conditions.
  • Past road trips, such as the 2023 Santa Monica route, have paved the way for robotaxi launches and informed Waymo’s national expansion strategy.
  • Waymo is advocating changes to New York City’s autonomous vehicle rules, which currently prohibit driverless operation without a human behind the wheel.