Waymo to Begin Testing Fully Autonomous Vehicles on SF Freeways Without Safety Drivers

Waymo is set to test fully autonomous vehicles on San Francisco Bay Area freeways without human safety drivers, starting with limited off-peak trials involving employees.

Key Points

• Waymo will start testing fully autonomous vehicles on San Francisco freeways without human safety drivers.
• The initial tests will involve Waymo employees and will take place outside rush hour with only a few vehicles.
• This follows Waymo’s approval in March to charge for autonomous rides on freeways in California.
• Waymo recently expanded its robotaxi service area in the San Francisco Bay Area by 10 square miles.
• The company is bolstered by a $5 billion investment from Alphabet to further its autonomous vehicle initiatives.

Waymo is set to take a significant step forward in the development of fully autonomous vehicles by beginning tests on San Francisco Bay Area freeways without any human safety drivers. Starting this week, the company’s employees will be the first to experience these autonomous rides, with the initial trials scheduled outside of rush hour and involving only a few vehicles.

This move follows the approval Waymo received from California regulators in March, which allowed the company to charge for autonomous rides on the state’s freeways. The upcoming tests mark an important milestone as Waymo continues to expand its presence in the San Francisco area.

Waymo’s parent company, Alphabet, has recently injected an additional $5 billion into the project, fueling the company’s ambitions to push the boundaries of autonomous driving technology. As part of its expansion efforts, Waymo added 10 square miles to its robotaxi service area last week, extending its reach to cities surrounding San Francisco, including Daly City, Broadmoor, and Colma.

The decision to begin freeway testing without human drivers is a bold step, reflecting Waymo’s confidence in its technology. By starting with controlled tests involving employees, the company aims to gather valuable data and ensure the safety and reliability of its autonomous vehicles before potentially expanding the service to the public.

As Waymo continues to make strides in the autonomous vehicle industry, the upcoming tests will be closely watched by regulators, industry experts, and the public. This phase of testing is not just a technical challenge but also a crucial step in building trust in fully autonomous vehicles as a viable and safe mode of transportation in the future.