Waymo, the self-driving subsidiary of Alphabet, is expanding faster than just about anyone else in the self-driving game. It announced an astonishing 450,000 weekly robotaxi rides. This number has almost tripled from only six months ago, when the program was providing 250,000 weekly rides. Tiger Global Management recently disclosed this explosion in a February letter to its own investors. CNBC was the first to break the news.
This tremendous advancement into Waymo’s ride-sharing service future is largely due to Waymo’s calculating investments in the top technology firms. These initiatives have considerably improved the firm’s logistics muscle and product pipeline. As a pioneer in the self-driving industry, Waymo has established commercial robotaxi services across five major cities: Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and the San Francisco Bay Area.
Waymo’s far-reaching curve doesn’t end with its existing victory. The company has made big proclamations before, most recently promising to open its service in 12 more cities by 2026. Waymo remains dedicated to expanding its operational footprint. Future launches will focus on connecting riders in cities such as Dallas, Denver, Houston, Nashville and San Diego to improve accessibility and convenience for riders.
Though this is an exciting development, Waymo has always been a little cagey on what their weekly rides count is. Until now, the company had claimed that it was delivering “several hundreds of thousands” of weekly rides. Its most recent annual statistical report’s preliminary figures for 2022 indicate a record-breaking, sustained drop in demand for its services. This trend is a reflection of consumers’ growing acceptance of autonomous transportation solutions.
As Waymo continues to grow its robotaxi service, this step in New York City is indicative of a larger trend across the country, as cities and states welcome autonomous vehicles into their commutes. As urban areas look for innovative solutions to reduce traffic congestion and improve mobility, Waymo’s growth underscores the potential of self-driving technology to revolutionize transportation.
