Autonomous car company Waymo says it plans to deploy its “robotaxi” service in Detroit this winter.
In a series of announcements Monday, Waymo, a subsidiary of Google parent company Alphabet Inc., said it planned to launch the service in Detroit, in addition to San Diego and Las Vegas:
Waymo is headed to Motown! Detroit is the city that put the world on wheels, and we’re excited to keep those wheels turning with our fully autonomous ride-hailing service. You’ll soon see us around as we familiarize ourselves with the city’s historic streets, ahead of serving riders.
We’re proud of our roots in Metro Detroit, including in Novi, where we’ve had an engineering team for many years. We’ve also regularly tested in Detroit during winter weather to develop our capabilities in snow and ice. We’ve made great strides in our efforts to operate in heavier snow – including testing in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula – and look forward to the 6th-generation Waymo Driver navigating Detroit streets this winter.
“For many people living with epilepsy, transportation is a significant barrier. The Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan celebrates organizations like Waymo, which are leading the way in providing accessible and safe transportation solutions,” said Andrea Schotthoefer, President, Epilepsy Foundation of Michigan. “Their efforts show what’s possible and inspire collective action toward a future where transportation barriers no longer stand in the way of opportunity and inclusion.”
Ready to experience Waymo in Detroit? Sign up for updates and be among the first to ride when we’re ready.
According to The Verge, Waymo will need to obtain approval in Michigan to operate driverless cars for commercial purposes.
Waymo already operates autonomous taxis in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin, and Atlanta.
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