Waymo to Launch Driverless Freeway Service in Major U.S. Cities

Phoenix, Arizona — Waymo announced on Wednesday that it will begin offering driverless freeway service in Phoenix, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay Area. This marks a significant advance in the company’s technology, transforming its services into a serious rival for ride-hailing giants Uber and Lyft.

The decision follows an earlier test where YouTuber Lorraine compared Waymo’s service against Tesla’s on a 21-mile trip through the Phoenix metro area. Tesla’s trip on Interstate 10 completed the journey in about 26 minutes, while Waymo, which avoided freeways, took nearly 55 minutes.

“I’m not sure why Waymo is restricted from using freeways, but as their map grows, freeway support will become necessary,” Lorraine commented.

Waymo primarily operates in sprawling cities such as Phoenix, Los Angeles, and Atlanta, where the lack of freeway access is seen as a major limitation. Even in more urban locations like San Francisco, users frequently encounter delays due to freeway restrictions.

Waymo’s announcement about its upcoming freeway service indicates a shift in strategy. The company stated that its vehicles will use freeway routes “when a freeway route is meaningfully faster” than surface street alternatives. Notably, vehicles will adhere to posted speed limits, which could result in slower speeds compared to surrounding traffic.

Waymo’s delay in implementing freeway service raises questions about the technology’s readiness. While navigating freeways can be less complicated than surface streets, the challenge lies in developing a fully autonomous system without human supervision, which remains a hurdle for many companies.

Waymo isn’t the only player in the driverless taxi market. Tesla and Amazon’s Zoox have also entered the field, though neither offers driverless freeway service at this time. While Tesla continues using human safety operators, Zoox’s offerings lack reports of freeway capabilities for the general public.

The company’s decision is seen as a pivotal moment for the self-driving sector, with escalating consumer demand for advanced driving assistance systems (ADAS). Experts suggest automated driving features are increasingly prioritized in consumers’ vehicle preferences.

As Waymo prepares to launch freeway services next week, it aims to expand its capabilities significantly, potentially shaping the future of urban transportation.