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Waymo is bringing its robotaxis Chicago and Charlotte as part of a push to continue promoting autonomous vehicles, the company said Wednesday.
Starting today, Waymo will begin mapping and collecting preliminary data to lay the groundwork for operations in these cities. Waymo often enters a new city by conducting several months of manual driving and mapping to understand road conditions, traffic patterns, and the road ahead before gradually launching autonomous testing and eventually driving without a driver.
While Charlotte — with its rural landscape and good weather — might be an easy route to use, Chicago’s winters, traffic, and urban sprawl could be a challenge for Waymo. Doing so well would bolster Waymo’s case that its operations are globally dangerous. It also gives Waymo another shot at a northern city after New York he suggested which would allow robotaxi pilots in certain areas of the state.
The news comes the same week Waymo began offering driverless services in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando, bringing his city total to 10.
In addition to Chicago and Charlotte, Waymo is also testing, and planning to launch, Denver, London, and Washington, DC, among other cities. Independent car company Alphabet earlier this month earned $16 billion in money to expand all over the world.
