Waymo is extending its robotaxi operations to Chicago and Charlotte, aiming to further scale its autonomous vehicle efforts, the company announced Wednesday.
Waymo will initiate manual mapping and preliminary data gathering in these cities starting today, setting the stage for its future operations. Typically, Waymo’s entry into a new city involves months of manual driving and mapping to grasp local road nuances, traffic behaviors, and unique scenarios before gradually moving to autonomous trials and eventually full driverless service.
Charlotte’s suburban design and mild climate might present a simpler environment, whereas Chicago’s severe winters, heavy traffic, and urban intricacies pose significant challenges for Waymo. Successfully operating in Chicago would support Waymo’s claims of national scalability and marks another attempt in a northern city following New York’s decision to drop a proposal for commercial robotaxi experiments in the state.
This announcement coincides with Waymo launching commercial driverless services in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando, increasing its operational city total to 10.
Beyond Chicago and Charlotte, Waymo is also engaging in testing and planning introductions in Denver, London, and Washington, D.C., among other locations. Earlier this month, the Alphabet-backed autonomous vehicle firm secured $16 billion to aid its international expansion plans.