Alphabet’s (GOOGL) autonomous vehicle unit, Waymo, is moving fast with its expansion across the U.S. It confirmed plans to begin testing self-driving vehicles in new cities, including Denver and Seattle. This move marks a major milestone in its aim to bring self-driving technology to everyday transportation.
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The expansion follows years of testing and data collection in the area, allowing the company to understand how to handle tricky road conditions, such as frequent rain and heavy construction.
At first, Waymo will run a small group of electric cars, which will include Jaguar I-Pace SUVs and Zeekr (ZK) RT vans, with human drivers on board. This careful rollout helps Waymo fine-tune its self-driving tech before launching fully driverless rides for the public.
Denver is expected to see commercial service launch as early as next year, while Seattle’s timeline depends on regulatory approvals and the testing process.
Waymo’s Journey Ahead
Waymo already operates in five major U.S. cities, Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, and Atlanta, where it completes thousands of paid trips per week.
Testing is also ramping up in New York City, where Waymo recently received its first permit to operate autonomous vehicles with safety drivers onboard. The company is also preparing to launch commercial services in Miami, Washington D.C., and Dallas in 2026.
Moving to international expansion, Waymo deployed a fleet of electric Jaguar I-PACEs to Tokyo, Japan, in early 2025. The company has partnered with local taxi company Nihon Kotsu and taxi-hailing app GO.
Currently, trained drivers are driving Waymo cars around areas like Minato and Shibuya to map the streets, study local traffic, and improve the self-driving system using real-world experience.
After the mapping and data collection phase is complete, Waymo plans to progress to autonomous driving tests with a safety driver behind the wheel.
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