Waymo, the Alphabet-owned self-driving car company, has announced the expansion of its robotaxi service area to include cities surrounding San Francisco. This move adds Daly City, Broadmoor, and Colma to Waymo’s commercial service territory, which now totals approximately 55 square miles.
Expansion into New Territory
Waymo’s latest expansion comes on the heels of receiving approval from the California Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) to operate a commercial robotaxi service in Los Angeles, the San Francisco Peninsula, and on San Francisco freeways. The company has been testing its self-driving vehicles in the greater SF Peninsula and has operated a commercial service 24 hours a day, seven days a week throughout the city of San Francisco since receiving approval from the commission in August 2023.
New Service Territory in Los Angeles
Waymo is also expanding its robotaxi service area in Los Angeles by an additional 16 square miles. The new territory includes Marina del Rey, Mar Vista, Playa Vista, and more of Hollywood, Chinatown, and Westwood. This expansion brings Waymo’s total commercial service territory in Los Angeles to a significant size.
Growing Demand for Robotaxi Service
Waymo has reported an increase in demand for its robotaxi service in both San Francisco and Los Angeles. In Los Angeles, more than 150,000 people have signed up for the waitlist, demonstrating the growing interest in self-driving transportation. To meet this demand, Waymo has been working to expand its fleet of commercial vehicles.
Fleet Size and Expansion
Waymo’s spokesperson revealed that the company currently operates approximately 300 vehicles in San Francisco, 50 in Los Angeles, and 200 in Phoenix. Additionally, Waymo has a limited fleet testing in Austin, while other vehicles are used for testing in Mountain View, California, and periodically in other areas.
Revenue Generation and Investment
While Waymo’s commercial operations generate revenue, the company still relies on its backers, primarily Alphabet, to support its operations. In recent news, Alphabet announced it will invest an additional $5 billion into Waymo, further solidifying its commitment to the self-driving car technology.
Milestones Achieved by Waymo
Waymo has achieved several significant milestones in its commercial operations. The company reported providing more than two million paid trips to riders across all Waymo One markets, which include Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Phoenix. Additionally, Waymo’s fleet of commercial vehicles serves over 50,000 paid trips each week across these same markets.
Future Plans and Goals
As Waymo continues to expand its robotaxi service area and grow its operations, the company remains focused on reaching profitability. While this goal is still out of reach, Waymo’s expanding service territories demonstrate its commitment to scaling its commercial operations.
Key Takeaways
- Waymo has expanded its robotaxi service area in San Francisco by an additional 10 square miles.
- The company has also added 16 square miles to its service territory in Los Angeles.
- Demand for Waymo’s self-driving transportation services is growing, with over 150,000 people signed up on the waitlist in Los Angeles.
- Waymo currently operates approximately 300 vehicles in San Francisco, 50 in Los Angeles, and 200 in Phoenix.
Conclusion
Waymo’s continued expansion of its robotaxi service area reflects the company’s commitment to providing self-driving transportation solutions to a wider range of customers. As demand for these services grows, it will be essential for Waymo to continue investing in its operations and technology to meet the needs of an increasing number of riders.
