Waymo: The future of self-driving taxis

Elon Musk has set a new deadline for Tesla’s robotaxi project, aiming to introduce it by 8 August. On the other hand, Waymo has made significant progress and already offers autonomous taxi services to the public in Phoenix and San Francisco with plans to expand to Los Angeles and Austin. In Phoenix, Waymo’s robotaxis even deliver food.

Waymo became the first company to provide self-driving taxi rides to the public without any safety drivers.

Key milestones:

- 2009: Google started the self-driving car project within its X Lab, aiming to develop autonomous cars.

- 2015: First fully autonomous ride on public roads.

- 2016: The project was renamed Waymo and became a separate business under Alphabet Inc.

- 2018: Launch of Waymo One, a commercial robotaxi service in Phoenix.

- 2020: Start of autonomous rides in Phoenix for the general public.

- 2023: First fully autonomous rides in Los Angeles.

- 2024: Waymo opens its robotaxi service to anyone in San Francisco who downloads the app, providing nearly one million residents and visitors access to autonomous taxis.

According to Chris Ludwick, Waymo’s product director, their technology can handle the complexities of San Francisco, including pedestrians, cyclists, electric bikes, scooters, hilly terrains and fog.

What sets Waymo apart from Tesla:

- Tesla’s cars use only cameras for navigation, while Waymo’s cars use data from cameras, radar and laser sensors for a more comprehensive view.

- Waymo’s fleet consists of Jaguar I-Pace electric SUVs, and there are already 250 of these cars on the road in San Francisco, making at least 50 000 trips per week.

Waymo has systematically planned its expansion and proven its technology can handle difficult urban environments. As it continues to grow, the future of self-driving taxis looks promising. Are you ready to take a ride in a self-driving taxi?