Waymo is set to launch its driverless taxi service in Denver and Seattle, expanding its autonomous ride-hailing operations beyond current cities. The company, owned by Google's parent Alphabet, has been testing the technology in these locations for several months.
The service will initially cover designated areas within each city, with free rides offered to users who have been onboarded to Waymo's system. Pricing details have not been disclosed, but previous riders in other cities reported paying around $7 for a 1.9-mile journey, with no tipping required.
Waymo vehicles use laser sensors, radar, 360-degree cameras, and onboard computers to navigate. The company claims its autonomous fleet has driven over 10 million miles without a human driver behind the wheel.
However, the expansion comes amid a series of high-profile incidents involving Waymo vehicles, including collisions with a truck, a cyclist, and a dog. In response, Waymo has issued software recalls and updates to improve safety.
Waymo co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana stated, 'Once an unimaginable future, autonomous driving is now a real-world way of getting around for tens of thousands of people each week.' The company plans to gradually onboard waitlisted residents before opening the service to all riders.
