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Waymo to expand to Seattle
Waymo, the autonomous rideshare service, is bringing its self-driving cars to Seattle.
SEATTLE - Waymo, the fully-autonomous rideshare service, is coming to Seattle.
The driverless car company is already live in five major cities, and recently announced plans to expand into Seattle and Denver.
Waymo works similarly to other rideshare services where vehicles can be hailed for pickup via a mobile app. However, Waymo vehicles are fully autonomous, transporting riders through the use of exterior cameras and self-driving technology.
Passengers ride in an electric Jaguar I-Pace car outfitted with Waymo full self-driving technology in Santa Monica Tuesday, Feb. 21, 2023. (Allen J. Schaben / Los Angeles Times via Getty Images)
The robotaxi service has already established itself in San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Atlanta, and Austin. Now, Waymo is continuing to expand its operations, this time focusing on winter cities with more unpredictable weather.
"We've spent years getting to know the broader Seattle metropolitan area —from communities around the Lake to its notoriously wet weather. This experience has been vital in helping us serve riders rain or shine," Waymo said in a press release.
Local perspective:
Previously, Waymo began early testing of its autonomous vehicles in Bellevue back in 2022.
Having already validated over 100 million fully autonomous miles and more than 10 million trips, Waymo says it's eager to bring their safe, accessible and sustainable service to Seattle.
What's next:
Waymo did not announce a specific timeframe for when the service would officially launch in Seattle, but said it will arrive in Denver this fall. The company will provide updates as the service becomes more accessible in the area.
The Seattle Department of Transportation issued the following statement in response to Waymo's expansion announcement:
"The City of Seattle supports innovation that makes transportation safer, more efficient, and more accessible. Seattle has taken a smart, safety-first approach to partnering with autonomous vehicle operators and ensuring these technologies work well for everyone who lives, works, and plays here. As Waymo begins manual data collection on Seattle’s streets, we look forward to continuing these partnerships to ensure future services meet our transportation goals.
"Seattle requires all autonomous vehicle operators that test their automated driving systems to follow strict safety protocols, including, at this time, having trained human drivers behind the wheel, submitting detailed safety plans, and coordinating with emergency responders. We’re also piloting new technology that shares real-time 911 dispatch data with vehicles connected to the internet, helping them steer clear of emergency scenes.
"Through community-informed planning, strong oversight, and cutting-edge digital tools, we’re making sure autonomous vehicles support a safer, more connected Seattle."
The Source: Information in this story came from Waymo.
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