Waymo Expands Robotaxi Testing to Seattle, Denver Streets

Waymo, Alphabet's autonomous vehicle unit, is expanding its driverless taxi testing to the Seattle metropolitan area, marking a key step in its broader national growth strategy that also includes Denver and other cities. Initially, the vehicles—electric Jaguar I-Pace SUVs and Zeekr vans—will be operated by human safety drivers to collect data and adapt to Seattle's challenging rainy and hilly conditions, with the goal of eventually launching fully autonomous commercial services once regulatory approvals are secured. Seattle's complex urban environment, including diverse traffic patterns and frequent precipitation, offers a valuable proving ground for refining Waymo's AI-driven systems. This expansion follows Waymo's existing fully autonomous operations in cities like Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, and Atlanta, and upcoming launches planned for Miami, Washington, D.C., Dallas, and internationally in Tokyo. The company emphasizes community engagement and regulatory cooperation as it prepares for future driverless rides, though no definitive timeline has been announced for Seattle’s fully autonomous service commencement. Waymo's measured rollout reflects a cautious approach prioritizing safety and technological robustness before offering driverless rides to the public.