Waymo expands service area around San Francisco and Los Angeles

Waymo is expanding its service area in California, specifically in the Los Angeles and San Francisco metropolitan areas. The company is introducing its robotaxis to several new cities and neighborhoods, including those along the San Francisco Peninsula and in Silicon Valley. Starting today, riders in cities like Brisbane, South San Francisco, and Palo Alto can use the Waymo driverless cab service. The greater Los Angeles area will also see an expansion on June 18, with robotaxis available in neighborhoods like Echo Park and Silver Lake. This recent expansion will grow Waymo's operational borders in both regions by around 80 square miles, bringing the total coverage area in California to 250 square miles. Waymo has recently reached a milestone of 10 million paid rides, with 250,000 weekly rides in all four of its US markets, including Phoenix and Austin. The company plans to test its driverless system in 10 new cities this year, including Las Vegas and San Diego, and will begin offering driverless taxi rides in Washington DC in 2026. Waymo has also started testing robotaxis in Tokyo earlier this year, indicating its commitment to expanding globally. The company is planning to more than double its fleet of vehicles, currently operating 1,500 Jaguar I-Pace SUVs, with 2,000 more joining the fleet in the next year or so. Overall, Waymo's expansion and growth plans demonstrate its efforts to advance its driverless technology and increase its presence in the US and international markets.