By: Nick Gambino
Waymo is expanding their self-driving robotaxis in San Francisco to include riding on freeways, a significant event for widespread adoption of the controversial program.
“After successful testing of our autonomous vehicles on Phoenix freeways, we’re expanding our operations,” a Waymo X post announced. “Starting today, our employees will also have access to fully autonomous rides on San Francisco freeways.”
As the post states, this robotaxi program is only available to Waymo employees. By taking the freeway, trips will significantly speed up. The company included an example of how a 40-minute trip from Lake Merced to Oracle Park without freeways will be cut in half when Waymo autonomous taxis use the speedy highway.
They’re starting slow with only a handful of self-driving vehicles heading toward the San Francisco freeway on-ramp. And each of those trips that do make it onto the road where speeds can easily exceed 65 miles per hour, will only occur outside of rush hour.
Gradually increasing the scope of their operations, Waymo has already expanded out to cover 55 square miles in the northern California region. But this pales in comparison to the numbers they’re doing in Arizona.
Back in June, the company announced they were expanding operations in the Metro Phoenix area, adding in 90 more square miles, bringing them up to an impressive 315 square miles.
Like those in San Francisco who are riding on freeways, you will need to get a job with Waymo to have one of their robot cars pick you up and drive you to your destination by freeway.
But if you’re looking to simply ride on surface streets in either San Francisco or Phoenix, you can do that whether you’re an employee of the tech company or not. All you need is to download the Waymo One app, sign up for an account and then hail a ride.
They are also operating in Los Angeles and Austin but those are mostly in the waitlist phase.
