Waymo, the autonomous vehicle company owned by Alphabet, has announced plans to expand its self-driving ride-hailing service to Washington, DC.
The company aims to launch the service next year through its Waymo One app, but it will first need to navigate regulatory hurdles to allow fully driverless operations.
Waymo has been testing its vehicles with safety drivers in DC since last year. The company is currently working with city officials to update regulations that require a human driver behind the wheel during autonomous vehicle testing. A spokesperson for the DC Department of Transportation (DDOT) confirmed that the city is reviewing its approach based on public feedback and best practices from other regions.
If successful, Washington, DC, will join cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin, where Waymo’s fully autonomous rides are already available. The company is also planning expansions into Miami and Atlanta.
Unlike many other US cities, Washington, DC, presents unique challenges for autonomous vehicles. The city is known for its heavy traffic congestion and complex street layout, which could pose difficulties for self-driving technology. Additionally, the federal government has not established a national regulatory framework for autonomous vehicles, leaving decisions up to state and local governments.
Waymo has stated that it is committed to working closely with city officials to ensure a smooth rollout. However, the company has not disclosed the size of its planned service area or which neighborhoods it will prioritize. Previous reports indicate that initial testing has focused on areas such as Dupont Circle, Foggy Bottom, and Penn Quarter.
Waymo’s expansion into Washington comes at a time when competition in the autonomous vehicle industry is heating up. Companies like Tesla, Amazon, and Lyft are also exploring self-driving ride-hailing services in various US cities. Waymo currently leads the industry, providing an estimated 200,000 driverless rides per week across its existing markets.
