Waymo Robotaxi to Launch in D.C. by 2026

Waymo, the autonomous vehicle arm of Alphabet Inc., is set to introduce its driverless taxi service in Washington, D.C., by 2026. The company is currently collaborating with local policymakers to change existing laws that require a human driver for autonomous operations. This expansion follows successful operations in other major U.S. cities such as San Francisco, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Austin, where Waymo provides over 200,000 paid trips weekly. The company has already begun testing in D.C. with safety drivers and plans to scale up its presence, despite challenges like the city's traffic congestion and seasonal snowfall. Waymo's move into D.C. is part of a broader strategy to expand into new markets, including Atlanta and Miami. The company’s vehicles have logged over 50 million autonomous miles, positioning it as a leader in the self-driving technology sector.