Waymo Expands Robotaxi Testing Amid Safety Concerns

New updates have been reported about Waymo (PC:WAYMO)

Waymo is broadening its autonomous vehicle testing by adding four new cities to its operations. The company has initiated testing in Philadelphia with safety monitors on board and plans to begin data collection through manual driving in Baltimore, St. Louis, and Pittsburgh. While Waymo has not specified when it will launch commercial services in these areas, this expansion is part of its strategy to increase its presence in over 20 cities where it is either testing, preparing for commercial launch, or already offering rides. Notably, Waymo has been collaborating with companies like Uber in cities such as Atlanta and Austin to facilitate its robotaxi rollout.

Despite these advancements, Waymo faces scrutiny over safety issues. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating the company’s vehicle operations near school buses following an incident in Atlanta where a Waymo vehicle was seen maneuvering around a stopped school bus. Additional reports from Austin indicate that Waymo’s vehicles have repeatedly passed school buses during loading and unloading of children, even after software updates were purportedly implemented to resolve the issue. As Waymo aims to achieve one million rides per week by the end of 2026, maintaining safety and addressing these concerns will be crucial for its continued expansion and reputation in the autonomous vehicle market.