Waymo Expands Robotaxi Service to Los Angeles, Marking Largest Expansion Yet

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On Wed, 13 Nov, 12:08 AM UTC

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Alphabet's Waymo removes waitlist for its self-driving service in Los Angeles, opening up to all residents across 80 square miles. This marks Waymo's third and largest city for full robotaxi operations.

Waymo Launches Citywide Robotaxi Service in Los Angeles

Alphabet-owned Waymo has announced a significant expansion of its self-driving taxi service, opening its operations to all residents in Los Angeles. This move marks the company's largest expansion to date, covering nearly 80 square miles of Los Angeles County 12.

Expansion Details and Market Reach

Starting Tuesday, anyone in LA can use the Waymo One app to hail a self-driving robotaxi, including the 300,000 Angelenos who were previously on Waymo's waitlist. Los Angeles, with a population exceeding 3.8 million, becomes the third and largest city where Waymo's robotaxi service is fully available 12.

Tekedra Mawakana, co-CEO of Waymo, expressed excitement about the expansion, stating, "Our service has matured quickly and our riders are embracing the many benefits of fully autonomous driving" 12.

Growth and Funding

Waymo's rapid expansion has been fueled by significant funding. In October, the company closed a $5.6 billion funding round led by Google parent Alphabet, along with other notable investors such as Andreessen Horowitz, Fidelity, and Tiger Global 12.

The company now reports over 150,000 paid rides per week across its three markets (Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Phoenix), a substantial increase from 100,000 in August 12.

Future Plans and Partnerships

Waymo's growth strategy extends beyond its current markets:

  1. Austin, Texas: Waymo has partnered with Uber to launch its robotaxi service in 2025 12.
  2. Next-generation vehicles: The company is developing a Geely Zeekr equipped with custom sensors and an AI "driver" 12.
  3. Hyundai partnership: A recent multi-year strategic agreement will add Hyundai's Ioniq 5 electric vehicle to Waymo's robotaxi fleet 12.

Social Impact and User Adoption

The Waymo One service has gained traction among specific user groups:

  1. Women concerned about safety when riding with unknown human drivers 12.
  2. Parents utilizing the service to transport their teenagers to school 12.

As autonomous vehicle technology continues to advance, Waymo's expansion in Los Angeles represents a significant milestone in the broader adoption of self-driving transportation solutions.

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