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4w ago

Waymo Targets 2026 Launch for Fully Autonomous Ride-Hailing in Washington, D.C.

The company is mapping streets and collaborating with policymakers to overcome regulatory hurdles as it expands its robotaxi service.

Waymo self driving car waiting at a city intersection, San Francisco, California, March 18, 2025. (Photo by Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images)
FILE - Two Waymo driverless taxis stop before passing one another on a San Francisco street on Feb. 15, 2023. (AP Photo/Terry Chea, File)
Image
A Waymo driverless taxi drives through downtown San Francisco, California, U.S., September 27, 2024. REUTERS/Laure Andrillon/File Photo

Overview

  • Waymo has announced plans to launch its fully driverless ride-hailing service in Washington, D.C., by 2026, with mapping and testing already underway.
  • The company is working with local policymakers to establish a legal framework for operating vehicles without safety drivers, as current regulations do not permit fully autonomous rides.
  • Waymo currently operates in Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Austin, with expansions to Miami and Atlanta planned for 2025.
  • The company has provided over 4 million driverless rides and is now completing 200,000 paid trips weekly, maintaining its lead in the autonomous vehicle market.
  • Despite safety investigations and past recalls, Waymo emphasizes its strong safety record, citing significantly fewer injury-causing crashes compared to human drivers.