Alphabet's Waymo Sees a Surge in Paid Rides
- tech360.tv
- Aug 21, 2024
- 2 min read
Waymo doubles paid rides to 100,000 per week in over three months. Alphabet announces a US$5 billion investment in Waymo. Waymo expands services to San Francisco, Phoenix, San Francisco Peninsula, and parts of Los Angeles.
This surge comes as the self-driving ride-hailing company broadens its service areas, allowing more passengers to experience its robotaxis.
Waymo's service expansion comes after Alphabet announced a significant multi-year investment in the firm worth $5 billion. This action comes amid ongoing concerns about autonomous car technology, strict regulatory control, and congressional enquiries.
Waymo is the only firm in the United States that offers autonomous robotaxis for a fee, with a fleet of approximately 700 vehicles. In June, the business made its service available to all San Francisco residents without asking them to join a waitlist. Waymo has also expanded its operations in metro Phoenix and, more recently, to the San Francisco Peninsula and certain regions of Los Angeles.
Chief Product Officer Saswat Panigrahi emphasised the shift in perception of autonomous vehicles, adding that they are becoming a part of everyday life for a growing number of people. Panigrahi underlined that Waymo's expansion has been intentional, with a focus on cost optimisation.
As competition in the autonomous car sector heats up, Tesla CEO Elon Musk is expected to disclose long-awaited plans for the company's robotaxi product in October. Other prominent contenders in the race include General Motors' Cruise, Amazon's Zoox, and China-based WeRide, all of whom are making substantial progress in the creation and testing of autonomous vehicle technology.
Waymo doubles paid rides to 100,000 per week in over three months.
Alphabet announces a US$5 billion investment in Waymo.
Waymo expands services to San Francisco, Phoenix, San Francisco Peninsula, and parts of Los Angeles.
Source: REUTERS
