In a significant expansion of its autonomous ride-hailing service, Waymo announced that Austin, Texas, will become its fourth commercial market, joining the ranks of Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles.
As TechCrunch reports, this move puts Waymo directly in competition with rival Cruise, which also operates self-driving ride-hailing services in San Francisco and Phoenix.
The same report notes that the official announcement marks a full-circle moment for Waymo, bringing its cutting-edge robotaxi service back to Austin, where the company's journey into driverless technology began.
The initial phase of operations will kick off this fall, with full autonomy and public rides slated for the following months.
Waymo Launched in Austin
Saswat Panigrahi, Chief Product Officer at Waymo, expressed enthusiasm about the city's complex cityscape, which the Waymo Driver is adapting to incredibly quickly.
"Autonomous vehicles make transportation safer, greener, and more accessible, and we can't wait for Austinites to experience these benefits for themselves," Panigrahi stated.
"The Waymo Driver also improves access to sustainable transportation, helping connect many more Austinites to their local communities through an all-electric, zero-emissions ride-hailing service that could help the city meet its ambitious targets to reach net-zero emissions by 2040," the company noted.
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Prioritizing Accessibility
The company highlights in a blog post that Waymo's expansion into Austin will also address the issue of transportation accessibility for traditionally underserved groups, such as individuals who are blind.
Emily Coleman, Superintendent of the Texas School for the Blind and Visually Impaired, stressed the significance of autonomous vehicles for individuals with visual impairments.
"Providing access to autonomous vehicles gives them the ability to be independent travelers and feel empowered to seek out the lives they want without the obligation to trust strangers," she emphasized.
The new service will undoubtedly boost local sustainability efforts as well. Waymo's all-electric, zero-emissions ride-hailing service aligns with Austin's ambitious targets to reach net-zero emissions by 2040.
Waymo plans to cover an extensive area in Austin, including popular locations like downtown Barton Hills, Riverside, East Austin, and Hyde Park. The company intends the service to be a valuable transportation option for residents and visitors, available day and night.
What's Next?
For those familiar with Waymo's deployment strategy, TechCrunch explains that the expansion in Austin will follow the company's proven playbook.
Initially, human safety operators will be behind the wheel of the test vehicles, ensuring smooth operations and providing a safety net. As the technology matures and demonstrates its reliability, the human operator will be gradually removed, making way for fully driverless rides.
Waymo One, the official name of the company's commercial ride-hailing service, will be accessible to vetted members of the public before opening to all riders.
Currently, Waymo only charges for rides in Phoenix, but the company awaits the final permit from the California Public Utilities Commission to charge passengers in the state, similar to Cruise.
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