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*], ] (Private Testing) <ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/12/16/waymo-to-begin-testing-in-tokyo-its-first-international-destination-.html|title=Waymo to begin testing in Tokyo, its first international destination|first=Jennifer Elias,Lora|last=Kolodny|date=December 17, 2024|website=CNBC}}</ref>
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] undergoing testing in the San Francisco Bay Area]] ] undergoing testing in the San Francisco Bay Area (2017)]]


'''Waymo LLC''', formerly known as the '''Google Self-Driving Car Project''', is an American ] technology company headquartered in ]. It is a subsidiary of ]. '''Waymo LLC''', formerly known as the '''Google Self-Driving Car Project''', is an American ] technology company headquartered in ]. It is a subsidiary of ].


The company traces its origins to the Stanford Racing Team, which ] and 2007 ] (DARPA) ].<ref name=":10" /> Google's development of self-driving technology began in January 2009,<ref name="AP-16" /><ref name=":2" /> led by ], the former director of the ] (SAIL), and ], founder of 510 Systems and Anthony's Robots.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":3" /> After almost two years of road testing with seven vehicles, ] revealed Google's project in October 2010.<ref name="NYT2010" /><ref name="Google" /><ref name="tc-levandowski" /> The company traces its origins to the Stanford Racing Team, which ] and 2007 ] (DARPA) ].<ref name=":10" /> Google's development of self-driving technology began in January 2009,<ref name="AP-16" /><ref name=":2" /> led by ], the former director of the ] (SAIL), and ], founder of 510 Systems and Anthony's Robots.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":3" /> After almost two years of road testing, the project was revealed in October 2010.<ref name="NYT2010" /><ref name="Google" /><ref name="tc-levandowski" />


In fall 2015, Google provided "the world's first fully driverless ride on public roads".<ref name=":16" /> In December 2016, the project was renamed Waymo and spun out of Google as part of Alphabet.<ref name="journey" /> In October 2020, Waymo became the first company to offer service to the public without safety drivers in the vehicle.<ref name="auto">{{cite news |title=Waymo launches its first commercial self-driving car service |work=Engadget |url=https://www.engadget.com/2018/12/05/waymo-one-launches/ |access-date=December 5, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=White |first=Joseph |date=October 8, 2020 |title=Waymo opens driverless robo-taxi service to the public in Phoenix |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-waymo-autonomous-phoenix-idUSKBN26T2Y3 |access-date=October 20, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 12, 2020 |title=Waymo Relaunches Driverless Ride Sharing |url=https://www.allaboutarizonanews.com/waymo-relaunches-driverless-ride-sharing/ |access-date=October 18, 2020 |website=All About Arizona News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hawkins |first=Andrew J. |date=December 9, 2019 |title=Waymo's driverless car: ghost-riding in the back seat of a robot taxi |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/9/21000085/waymo-fully-driverless-car-self-driving-ride-hail-service-phoenix-arizona |website=The Verge}}</ref> Waymo currently operates commercial ] services in ], ], and ],<ref>{{cite news |last1=Knoll |first1=Corina |title=When Nobody Is Behind the Wheel in Car-Obsessed Los Angeles |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/20/us/los-angeles-waymo-driver.html |access-date=23 July 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=20 March 2024}}</ref> with new services planned in ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Autonomous Ride-Hailing in Austin, Texas |url=https://waymo.com/waymo-one-austin/ |access-date=2023-10-27 |website=Waymo |language=en}}</ref> {{As of|2024|October}}, it offers 100,000 paid rides per week. In fall 2015, Google provided "the world's first fully driverless ride on public roads".<ref name=":16" /> In December 2016, the project was renamed Waymo and spun out of Google as part of Alphabet.<ref name="journey" /> In October 2020, Waymo became the first company to offer service to the public without safety drivers in the vehicle.<ref name="auto">{{cite news |title=Waymo launches its first commercial self-driving car service |work=Engadget |url=https://www.engadget.com/2018/12/05/waymo-one-launches/ |access-date=December 5, 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=White |first=Joseph |date=October 8, 2020 |title=Waymo opens driverless robo-taxi service to the public in Phoenix |work=Reuters |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-waymo-autonomous-phoenix-idUSKBN26T2Y3 |access-date=October 20, 2020}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=October 12, 2020 |title=Waymo Relaunches Driverless Ride Sharing |url=https://www.allaboutarizonanews.com/waymo-relaunches-driverless-ride-sharing/ |access-date=October 18, 2020 |website=All About Arizona News |language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Hawkins |first=Andrew J. |date=December 9, 2019 |title=Waymo's driverless car: ghost-riding in the back seat of a robot taxi |url=https://www.theverge.com/2019/12/9/21000085/waymo-fully-driverless-car-self-driving-ride-hail-service-phoenix-arizona |website=The Verge}}</ref> Waymo currently{{When|date=November 2024}} operates commercial ] services in Phoenix (Arizona), San Francisco (California), and Los Angeles (California)<ref>{{cite news |last1=Knoll |first1=Corina |title=When Nobody Is Behind the Wheel in Car-Obsessed Los Angeles |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/20/us/los-angeles-waymo-driver.html |access-date=23 July 2024 |work=The New York Times |date=20 March 2024}}</ref> with new services planned in ] and ], ].<ref>{{Cite web |title=Autonomous Ride-Hailing in Austin, Texas |url=https://waymo.com/waymo-one-austin/ |access-date=2023-10-27 |website=Waymo |language=en}}</ref><ref name=":19">{{Cite web |title=Waymo to Begin Autonomous Vehicle Testing in Tokyo in 2025 |url=https://beijingtimes.com/business/2024/12/17/waymo-to-begin-autonomous-vehicle-testing-in-tokyo-in-2025/ |access-date=2024-12-18 |website=beijingtimes.com}}</ref> {{As of|2024|October}}, it offers 150,000 paid rides per week totalling over 1 million miles weekly.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Ohnsman |first=Alan |title=Alphabet's Waymo Logging 150,000 Robotaxi Rides And 1 Million Miles A Week |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanohnsman/2024/10/29/alphabets-waymo-logging-150000-robotaxi-rides-and-1-million-miles-a-week/ |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref>


Waymo is run by co-CEOs ] and ].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Waymo CEO John Krafcik steps aside as co-CEO's take over|url= https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/02/waymo-ceo-john-krafcik-steps-aside-as-co-ceos-take-over.html|access-date=April 2, 2021| publisher =CNBC|date=April 2, 2021}}</ref> The company raised US$5.5&nbsp;billion in multiple outside funding rounds<ref name="cnbc-may22" /> by 2022 and raised $5.6 billion funding in 2024<ref>https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/25/alphabets-self-driving-unit-waymo-closes-5point6-billion-funding-round.html</ref>. Waymo has partnerships with multiple vehicle manufacturers, including ],<ref name="Hawkins17">{{cite web |author=Andrew J. Hawkins |date=November 7, 2017 |title=Waymo is first to put fully self-driving cars on US roads without a safety driver |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/7/16615290/waymo-self-driving-safety-driver-chandler-autonomous |access-date=June 13, 2018 |publisher=]}}</ref> ],<ref>, TechCrunch, October 27, 2020</ref> ],<ref name="Bergen18">{{cite news |last1=Bergen |first1=Mark |last2=Naughton |first2=Keith |date=April 2, 2018 |title=Waymo isn't going to slow down now |publisher=] |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2018-04-02/waymo-isn-t-slowing-down-pact-with-honda-could-include-delivery |access-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref> and ].<ref name=":12" /> Waymo is run by co-CEOs ] and ].<ref>{{Cite web|title=Waymo CEO John Krafcik steps aside as co-CEO's take over|url= https://www.cnbc.com/2021/04/02/waymo-ceo-john-krafcik-steps-aside-as-co-ceos-take-over.html|access-date=April 2, 2021| publisher =CNBC|date=April 2, 2021}}</ref> The company raised US$5.5&nbsp;billion in multiple outside funding rounds<ref name="cnbc-may22" /> by 2022 and raised $5.6 billion funding in 2024.<ref name=":17">{{Cite web |last=Kolodny |first=Lora |date=2024-10-25 |title=Alphabet's self-driving unit Waymo closes $5.6 billion funding round as robotaxi race heats up in the U.S. |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2024/10/25/alphabets-self-driving-unit-waymo-closes-5point6-billion-funding-round.html |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=CNBC |language=en}}</ref> Waymo has or had partnerships with multiple vehicle manufacturers, including ],<ref name="Hawkins17">{{cite web |author=Andrew J. Hawkins |date=November 7, 2017 |title=Waymo is first to put fully self-driving cars on US roads without a safety driver |url=https://www.theverge.com/2017/11/7/16615290/waymo-self-driving-safety-driver-chandler-autonomous |access-date=June 13, 2018 |publisher=]}}</ref> ],<ref>, TechCrunch, October 27, 2020</ref> ],<ref name="Bergen18">{{cite news |last1=Bergen |first1=Mark |last2=Naughton |first2=Keith |date=April 2, 2018 |title=Waymo isn't going to slow down now |publisher=] |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2018-04-02/waymo-isn-t-slowing-down-pact-with-honda-could-include-delivery |access-date=June 12, 2018}}</ref> and ].<ref name=":12" />


==History== ==History==
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=== Ground work === === Ground work ===
Google's development of self-driving technology began on January 17, 2009,<ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/johnkrafcik/status/1085944196186304512|title=Our #tenyearchallenge has been building the world's most experienced driver. Thanks to two visionary @Google characters for getting us started & to the @Waymo One riders in #Phoenix we're serving. HBD #Waymo pic.twitter.com/Ew4fdXjM7c|last1=Krafcik|first1=John|date=January 17, 2019|website=John Krafcik's official Twitter account|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123193629/https://twitter.com/johnkrafcik/status/1085944196186304512|archive-date=January 23, 2019|access-date=January 17, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=July 2024}} at ] lab, run by co-founder ].<ref name="AP-16">{{cite news |title=Google's self-driving-car project becomes a separate company: Waymo |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-google-waymo-self-driving-20161213-story.html |agency=] |date=December 13, 2016 |access-date=June 13, 2018}}</ref> The project was launched at Google by Sebastian Thrun, the former director of the ] (SAIL) and ], founder of 510 Systems and Anthony's Robots.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite magazine|title=God Is a Bot, and Anthony Levandowski Is His Messenger {{!}} Backchannel|language=en-us|magazine=Wired|url=https://www.wired.com/story/god-is-a-bot-and-anthony-levandowski-is-his-messenger/|access-date=July 1, 2020|issn=1059-1028}}</ref> Google's development of self-driving technology began in January 17, 2009,<ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=https://twitter.com/johnkrafcik/status/1085944196186304512|title=Our #tenyearchallenge has been building the world's most experienced driver. Thanks to two visionary @Google characters for getting us started & to the @Waymo One riders in #Phoenix we're serving. HBD #Waymo pic.twitter.com/Ew4fdXjM7c|last1=Krafcik|first1=John|date=January 17, 2019|website=John Krafcik's official Twitter account|language=en|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190123193629/https://twitter.com/johnkrafcik/status/1085944196186304512|archive-date=January 23, 2019|access-date=January 17, 2019|url-status=live}}</ref>{{Primary source inline|date=July 2024}} at ] lab, run by co-founder ].<ref name="AP-16">{{cite news |title=Google's self-driving-car project becomes a separate company: Waymo |url=https://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-hy-google-waymo-self-driving-20161213-story.html |agency=] |date=December 13, 2016 |access-date=June 13, 2018}}</ref> The project was launched at Google by Sebastian Thrun, the former director of the ] (SAIL) and ], founder of 510 Systems and Anthony's Robots.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":3">{{Cite magazine|title=God Is a Bot, and Anthony Levandowski Is His Messenger {{!}} Backchannel|language=en-us|magazine=Wired|url=https://www.wired.com/story/god-is-a-bot-and-anthony-levandowski-is-his-messenger/|access-date=July 1, 2020|issn=1059-1028}}</ref>


The initial software code and ] (AI) design of the effort started before the team worked at Google, when Thrun and 15 engineers, including Dmitri Dolgov, Mike Montemerlo, Hendrik Dahlkamp, Sven Strohband, and ], built Stanley and Junior, Stanford's entries in the 2005 and 2007 ]. Later, aspects of this technology were used in a digital mapping project for SAIL called VueTool.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|last=Higgins|first=Jack Nicas and Tim|date=May 23, 2017|title=Google vs. Uber: How One Engineer Sparked a War|language=en-US|work=]|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-a-star-engineer-sparked-a-war-between-google-and-uber-1495556308|access-date=July 1, 2020|issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref name=":5" /><ref name="NYT2010">{{cite news|author=]|date=October 9, 2010|title=Google Cars Drive Themselves, in Traffic|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/science/10google.html|access-date=October 11, 2010}}</ref> In 2007, Google ] the entire VueTool team to help advance Google's ] technology.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite news|title=Fury Road: Did Uber Steal the Driverless Future From Google?|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-03-16/fury-road-did-uber-steal-the-driverless-future-from-google?sref=BeOevass|access-date=July 1, 2020|newspaper=Bloomberg.com|date = March 16, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Google">{{cite web |author=Sebastian Thrun |date=October 9, 2010 |title=What we're driving at |url=http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/what-were-driving-at.html |access-date=October 11, 2010 |publisher=The Official Google Blog}}</ref><ref name="Hull17">{{cite news |title=The PayPal Mafia of Self-Driving Cars Has Been at It a Decade |last1=Hull |first1=Dana |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-10-30/it-s-been-10-years-since-robots-proved-they-could-drive |publisher=] |date=October 30, 2017 |access-date=June 13, 2018}}</ref> The initial software code and ] (AI) design of the effort started before the team worked at Google, when Thrun and 15 engineers, including Dmitri Dolgov, Mike Montemerlo, Hendrik Dahlkamp, Sven Strohband, and ], built Stanley and Junior, Stanford's entries in the 2005 and 2007 ]. Later, aspects of this technology were used in a digital mapping project for SAIL called VueTool.<ref name=":4">{{Cite news|last=Higgins|first=Jack Nicas and Tim|date=May 23, 2017|title=Google vs. Uber: How One Engineer Sparked a War|language=en-US|work=]|url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/how-a-star-engineer-sparked-a-war-between-google-and-uber-1495556308|access-date=July 1, 2020|issn=0099-9660}}</ref><ref name=":5" /><ref name="NYT2010">{{cite news|author=]|date=October 9, 2010|title=Google Cars Drive Themselves, in Traffic|work=]|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2010/10/10/science/10google.html|access-date=October 11, 2010}}</ref> In 2007, Google ] the entire VueTool team to help advance Google's ] technology.<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":5">{{Cite news|title=Fury Road: Did Uber Steal the Driverless Future From Google?|url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-03-16/fury-road-did-uber-steal-the-driverless-future-from-google?sref=BeOevass|access-date=July 1, 2020|newspaper=Bloomberg.com|date = March 16, 2017}}</ref><ref name="Google">{{cite web |author=Sebastian Thrun |date=October 9, 2010 |title=What we're driving at |url=http://googleblog.blogspot.com/2010/10/what-were-driving-at.html |access-date=October 11, 2010 |publisher=The Official Google Blog}}</ref><ref name="Hull17">{{cite news |title=The PayPal Mafia of Self-Driving Cars Has Been at It a Decade |last1=Hull |first1=Dana |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/features/2017-10-30/it-s-been-10-years-since-robots-proved-they-could-drive |publisher=] |date=October 30, 2017 |access-date=June 13, 2018}}</ref>
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The project success led Google to ] Google's self-driving car program in January 2009.<ref name=":10" /> In 2011, Google acquired 510 Systems (co-founded by Levandowski, Pierre-Yves Droz and Andrew Schultz), and Anthony's Robots for an estimated US$20&nbsp;million.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ohnsman |first=Alan |title=Anthony Levandowski, The Fallen Self-Driving Tech Star Who Triggered Waymo-Uber Legal Battle, Ordered To Pay Google $179 Million |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanohnsman/2020/03/05/anthony-levandowski-the-fallen-self-driving-tech-star-who-triggered-waymo-uber-legal-battle-ordered-to-pay-google-179-million/ |access-date=July 1, 2020 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> Levandowski's vehicle and hardware, and Stanford's AI technology and software, became the nucleus of the project.<ref name=":10" /> The project success led Google to ] Google's self-driving car program in January 2009.<ref name=":10" /> In 2011, Google acquired 510 Systems (co-founded by Levandowski, Pierre-Yves Droz and Andrew Schultz), and Anthony's Robots for an estimated US$20&nbsp;million.<ref name=":9" /><ref name=":4" /><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":7" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Ohnsman |first=Alan |title=Anthony Levandowski, The Fallen Self-Driving Tech Star Who Triggered Waymo-Uber Legal Battle, Ordered To Pay Google $179 Million |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/alanohnsman/2020/03/05/anthony-levandowski-the-fallen-self-driving-tech-star-who-triggered-waymo-uber-legal-battle-ordered-to-pay-google-179-million/ |access-date=July 1, 2020 |website=Forbes |language=en}}</ref> Levandowski's vehicle and hardware, and Stanford's AI technology and software, became the nucleus of the project.<ref name=":10" />
] ]


=== Project Chauffeur === === Project Chauffeur ===
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Starting in 2010, lawmakers in various states expressed concerns over how to regulate autonomous vehicles. A related ] law went into effect on March 1, 2012.<ref name="1stLicense">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-usa-nevada-google-idUSLNE84701320120508| title=Google gets first self-driven car license in Nevada|author=Mary Slosson |work=]| date=May 8, 2012| access-date=May 9, 2012}}</ref> Google had been lobbying for such laws.<ref name="GCC0611">{{cite web |date=June 25, 2011 |title=Nevada enacts law authorizing autonomous (driverless) vehicles |url=http://www.greencarcongress.com/2011/06/ab511-20110625.html |access-date=June 25, 2011 |publisher=Green Car Congress}}</ref><ref name="Forbes0611">{{cite news|url=https://blogs.forbes.com/alexknapp/2011/06/22/nevada-passes-law-authorizing-driverless-cars/|title=Nevada Passes Law Authorizing Driverless Cars|author=Alex Knapp|work=]|date=June 22, 2011|access-date=June 25, 2011}}</ref><ref name="NYT0511">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/11/science/11drive.html?_r=1&emc=eta1|title=Google Lobbies Nevada To Allow Self-Driving Cars|author=John Markoff|work=]|date=May 10, 2011|access-date=May 11, 2011}}</ref> A modified Prius was licensed by the ] (DMV) in May 2012.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web|last=Harris|first=Mark|title=How Google's Autonomous Car Passed the First U.S. State Self-Driving Test|url=https://spectrum.ieee.org/how-googles-autonomous-car-passed-the-first-us-state-selfdriving-test|access-date=July 1, 2020|website=IEEE Spectrum: Technology, Engineering, and Science News|date=September 10, 2014|language=en}}</ref> The car was "driven" by ] with Levandowski in the passenger seat.<ref name=":11" /> This was the first US license for a self-driven car.<ref name="1stLicense" /> Starting in 2010, lawmakers in various states expressed concerns over how to regulate autonomous vehicles. A related ] law went into effect on March 1, 2012.<ref name="1stLicense">{{cite news|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/uk-usa-nevada-google-idUSLNE84701320120508| title=Google gets first self-driven car license in Nevada|author=Mary Slosson |work=]| date=May 8, 2012| access-date=May 9, 2012}}</ref> Google had been lobbying for such laws.<ref name="GCC0611">{{cite web |date=June 25, 2011 |title=Nevada enacts law authorizing autonomous (driverless) vehicles |url=http://www.greencarcongress.com/2011/06/ab511-20110625.html |access-date=June 25, 2011 |publisher=Green Car Congress}}</ref><ref name="Forbes0611">{{cite news|url=https://blogs.forbes.com/alexknapp/2011/06/22/nevada-passes-law-authorizing-driverless-cars/|title=Nevada Passes Law Authorizing Driverless Cars|author=Alex Knapp|work=]|date=June 22, 2011|access-date=June 25, 2011}}</ref><ref name="NYT0511">{{cite news|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2011/05/11/science/11drive.html?_r=1&emc=eta1|title=Google Lobbies Nevada To Allow Self-Driving Cars|author=John Markoff|work=]|date=May 10, 2011|access-date=May 11, 2011}}</ref> A modified Prius was licensed by the ] (DMV) in May 2012.<ref name=":11">{{Cite web|last=Harris|first=Mark|title=How Google's Autonomous Car Passed the First U.S. State Self-Driving Test|url=https://spectrum.ieee.org/how-googles-autonomous-car-passed-the-first-us-state-selfdriving-test|access-date=July 1, 2020|website=IEEE Spectrum: Technology, Engineering, and Science News|date=September 10, 2014|language=en}}</ref> The car was "driven" by ] with Levandowski in the passenger seat.<ref name=":11" /> This was the first US license for a self-driven car.<ref name="1stLicense" />


In January 2014<ref>{{cite news |author=Billy Davies |date=January 24, 2014 |title=The future of urban transport: The self-driving car club |work=zodiacmedia.co.uk |url=http://www.zodiacmedia.co.uk/blog/the-future-of-urban-transport-the-self-driving-car-club |access-date=January 24, 2014}}</ref> Google was granted a patent for a transportation service funded by advertising that included autonomous vehicles as a transport method.<ref>{{cite patent|country=US|number=8630897 B1|title=Transportation-aware physical advertising conversions|status=patent|pubdate=2014-01-14|fdate=2014-01-11|invent1=Luis Ricardo Prada Gomez|invent2=Andrew Timothy Szybalski Sebastian Thrun|invent3=Philip Nemec|invent4=Christopher Paul Urmson|assign1=Google Inc}}</ref> In late May, Google revealed an autonomous ], which had no steering wheel, gas pedal, or brake pedal.<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqSDWoAhvLU&list=PLcNF6Ihx2JoUoNKe4PxLqEcZMM0QW2yG- |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/CqSDWoAhvLU |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|title=A First Drive|date=May 27, 2014|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://recode.net/2014/05/27/googles-new-self-driving-car-ditches-the-steering-wheel/|title=Google Introduces New Self Driving Car at the Code Conference – Re/code|author=Liz Gannes|work=Re/code|date=May 27, 2014}}</ref> In December, Google unveiled a Firefly prototype that was planned to be tested on ] roads beginning in early 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27190285/googles-goofy-new-self-driving-car-sign-things |title=Google's 'goofy' new self-driving car a sign of things to come |work=Mercury News |date=December 22, 2014 |access-date=December 22, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Lynch17">{{cite news |title=Waymo retires Firefly test cars, focuses on Pacificas |last1=Lynch |first1=Jim |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/mobility/2017/06/13/waymo-retires-firefly-test-cars-focuses-pacificas/102818318/ |newspaper=] |date=June 13, 2017 |access-date=June 27, 2018}}</ref> ]In 2015, Levandowski left the project. In August 2015, Google hired former ] executive, ], as CEO.<ref name="nyt-spinoff">{{Cite news|last=Wakabayashi|first=Daisuke|date=December 13, 2016|title=Google Parent Company Spins Off Self-Driving Car Business|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/13/technology/google-parent-company-spins-off-waymo-self-driving-car-business.html|access-date=June 30, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In fall 2015, Google provided "the world's first fully driverless ride on public roads" in ] to Steve Mahan, former CEO of the Santa Clara Valley Blind Center, who was a ] friend of principal engineer Nathaniel Fairfield.<ref name=":16">{{Cite web|url=https://medium.com/waymo/scenes-from-the-street-5bb77046d7ce|title=On the road with self-driving car user number one|first=Waymo|last=Team|date=December 13, 2016|website=Medium}}</ref> It was the first entirely autonomous trip on a public road. It was not accompanied by a test driver or police escort.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=III|first1=Ashley Halsey|last2=Laris|first2=Michael|date=December 13, 2016|title=Blind man sets out alone in Google's driverless car|language=en-US|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/blind-man-sets-out-alone-in-googles-driverless-car/2016/12/13/f523ef42-c13d-11e6-8422-eac61c0ef74d_story.html|access-date=July 2, 2020|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> The car had no steering wheel or floor pedals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.complex.com/life/2016/12/blind-man-rides-self-driving-google-car-by-himself |title=Google Confirms First Ever Driverless Self-Driving Car Ride |first=Debbie |last=Encalada |publisher=Complex Media |date=December 14, 2016}}</ref> By the end of 2015, Project Chauffeur had covered more than a million miles.<ref name=":9" /> In January 2014<ref>{{cite news |author=Billy Davies |date=January 24, 2014 |title=The future of urban transport: The self-driving car club |work=zodiacmedia.co.uk |url=http://www.zodiacmedia.co.uk/blog/the-future-of-urban-transport-the-self-driving-car-club |access-date=January 24, 2014}}</ref> Google was granted a patent for a transportation service funded by advertising that included autonomous vehicles as a transport method.<ref>{{cite patent|country=US|number=8630897 B1|title=Transportation-aware physical advertising conversions|status=patent|pubdate=2014-01-14|fdate=2014-01-11|invent1=Luis Ricardo Prada Gomez|invent2=Andrew Timothy Szybalski Sebastian Thrun|invent3=Philip Nemec|invent4=Christopher Paul Urmson|assign1=Google Inc}}</ref> In late May, Google revealed an autonomous ], which had no steering wheel, gas pedal, or brake pedal.<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CqSDWoAhvLU&list=PLcNF6Ihx2JoUoNKe4PxLqEcZMM0QW2yG- |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211221/CqSDWoAhvLU |archive-date=December 21, 2021 |url-status=live|title=A First Drive|date=May 27, 2014|via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://recode.net/2014/05/27/googles-new-self-driving-car-ditches-the-steering-wheel/|title=Google Introduces New Self Driving Car at the Code Conference – Re/code|author=Liz Gannes|work=Re/code|date=May 27, 2014}}</ref> In December, Google unveiled a Firefly prototype that was planned to be tested on ] roads beginning in early 2015.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mercurynews.com/business/ci_27190285/googles-goofy-new-self-driving-car-sign-things |title=Google's 'goofy' new self-driving car a sign of things to come |work=Mercury News |date=December 22, 2014 |access-date=December 22, 2014}}</ref><ref name="Lynch17">{{cite news |title=Waymo retires Firefly test cars, focuses on Pacificas |last1=Lynch |first1=Jim |url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/business/autos/mobility/2017/06/13/waymo-retires-firefly-test-cars-focuses-pacificas/102818318/ |newspaper=] |date=June 13, 2017 |access-date=June 27, 2018}}</ref> ]In 2015, Levandowski left the project. In August 2015, Google hired former ] executive, ], as CEO.<ref name="nyt-spinoff">{{Cite news|last=Wakabayashi|first=Daisuke|date=December 13, 2016|title=Google Parent Company Spins Off Self-Driving Car Business|language=en-US|work=The New York Times|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2016/12/13/technology/google-parent-company-spins-off-waymo-self-driving-car-business.html|access-date=June 30, 2020|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> In fall 2015, Google provided "the world's first fully driverless ride on public roads" in ] to Steve Mahan, former CEO of the Santa Clara Valley Blind Center, who was a ] friend of principal engineer Nathaniel Fairfield.<ref name=":16">{{Cite web|url=https://medium.com/waymo/scenes-from-the-street-5bb77046d7ce|title=On the road with self-driving car user number one|first=Waymo|last=Team|date=December 13, 2016|website=Medium}}</ref> It was the first entirely autonomous trip on a public road. It was not accompanied by a test driver or police escort.<ref>{{Cite news|last1=III|first1=Ashley Halsey|last2=Laris|first2=Michael|date=December 13, 2016|title=Blind man sets out alone in Google's driverless car|language=en-US|newspaper=The Washington Post|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/local/trafficandcommuting/blind-man-sets-out-alone-in-googles-driverless-car/2016/12/13/f523ef42-c13d-11e6-8422-eac61c0ef74d_story.html|access-date=July 2, 2020|issn=0190-8286}}</ref> The car had no steering wheel or floor pedals.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.complex.com/life/2016/12/blind-man-rides-self-driving-google-car-by-himself |title=Google Confirms First Ever Driverless Self-Driving Car Ride |first=Debbie |last=Encalada |publisher=Complex Media |date=December 14, 2016}}</ref> By the end of 2015, Project Chauffeur had covered more than a million miles.<ref name=":9" />


Google spent $1.1&nbsp;billion on the project between 2009 and 2015. For comparison, the acquisition of ] by ] in March 2016 was for $500&nbsp;million, and Uber's acquisition of ] in August 2016 was for $680&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |author=Mark Harris |date=September 15, 2017 |title=Google Has Spent Over $1.1 Billion on Self-Driving Tech |work=IEEE spectrum |url=https://spectrum.ieee.org/google-has-spent-over-11-billion-on-selfdriving-tech}}</ref> Google spent $1.1&nbsp;billion on the project between 2009 and 2015. For comparison, the acquisition of ] by ] in March 2016 was for $500&nbsp;million, and Uber's acquisition of ] in August 2016 was for $680&nbsp;million.<ref>{{cite news |author=Mark Harris |date=September 15, 2017 |title=Google Has Spent Over $1.1 Billion on Self-Driving Tech |work=IEEE spectrum |url=https://spectrum.ieee.org/google-has-spent-over-11-billion-on-selfdriving-tech}}</ref>
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In 2017, Waymo sued ] for allegedly stealing trade secrets.<ref name="Hull17" /> Waymo began testing minivans without a safety driver on public roads in ], in October 2017.<ref name="Randazzo18">{{cite news |title=Waymo to start driverless ride sharing in Phoenix area this year |last1=Randazzo |first1=Ryan |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/money/business/tech/2018/01/30/waymo-start-driverless-ride-sharing-phoenix-area-year/1078466001/ |newspaper=] |date=January 30, 2018 |access-date=June 13, 2018}}</ref> In 2017, Waymo unveiled new sensors and chips that are less expensive to manufacture, cameras that improve visibility, and wipers to clear the ] system.<ref name="Bergen17">{{Cite web |last=Bergen |first=Mark |date=May 16, 2017 |title=Waymo Tests Hardware to Ease Passenger Fears of Driverless Cars |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-05-16/waymo-s-next-challenge-making-driverless-passengers-feels-safe |access-date=June 13, 2018 |publisher=]}}</ref> At the beginning of the self-driving car program, they used a $75,000 lidar system from ].<ref name="Adams17">{{cite web |author=Dallon Adams |date=April 26, 2017 |title=Everything you need to know about Waymo's self-driving car project |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/everything-you-need-to-know-waymo/ |access-date=June 13, 2018 |publisher=]}}</ref> In 2017, the cost decreased approximately 90 percent, as Waymo converted to in-house built lidar.<ref name="Amadeo17">{{cite web |author=Ron Amadeo |date=January 9, 2017 |title=Google's Waymo invests in LIDAR technology, cuts costs by 90 percent |url=https://arstechnica.com/cars/2017/01/googles-waymo-invests-in-lidar-technology-cuts-costs-by-90-percent/ |access-date=June 13, 2018 |publisher=]}}</ref> Waymo has applied its technology to various cars including the Prius, ], ] ], and ].<ref name="Wired2012">{{cite magazine |author=Damon Lavrinc |date=April 16, 2012 |title=Exclusive: Google Expands Its Autonomous Fleet With Hybrid Lexus RX450h |url=https://www.wired.com/autopia/2012/04/google-autonomous-lexus-rx450h/ |magazine=] |access-date=April 24, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gibbs |first=Samuel |date=November 7, 2017 |title=Google sibling Waymo launches fully autonomous ride-hailing service |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/nov/07/google-waymo-announces-fully-autonomous-ride-hailing-service-uber-alphabet |access-date=December 3, 2017 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Waymo partners with Lyft on pilot projects and product development.<ref name="Isaac17">{{cite news |last1=Isaac |first1=Mike |date=May 14, 2017 |title=Lyft and Waymo Reach Deal to Collaborate on Self-Driving Cars |newspaper=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/14/technology/lyft-waymo-self-driving-cars.html |access-date=June 13, 2018}}</ref> Waymo ordered an additional 500 Pacifica hybrids in 2017. In 2017, Waymo sued ] for allegedly stealing trade secrets.<ref name="Hull17" /> Waymo began testing minivans without a safety driver on public roads in ], in October 2017.<ref name="Randazzo18">{{cite news |title=Waymo to start driverless ride sharing in Phoenix area this year |last1=Randazzo |first1=Ryan |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/money/business/tech/2018/01/30/waymo-start-driverless-ride-sharing-phoenix-area-year/1078466001/ |newspaper=] |date=January 30, 2018 |access-date=June 13, 2018}}</ref> In 2017, Waymo unveiled new sensors and chips that are less expensive to manufacture, cameras that improve visibility, and wipers to clear the ] system.<ref name="Bergen17">{{Cite web |last=Bergen |first=Mark |date=May 16, 2017 |title=Waymo Tests Hardware to Ease Passenger Fears of Driverless Cars |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2017-05-16/waymo-s-next-challenge-making-driverless-passengers-feels-safe |access-date=June 13, 2018 |publisher=]}}</ref> At the beginning of the self-driving car program, they used a $75,000 lidar system from ].<ref name="Adams17">{{cite web |author=Dallon Adams |date=April 26, 2017 |title=Everything you need to know about Waymo's self-driving car project |url=https://www.digitaltrends.com/cars/everything-you-need-to-know-waymo/ |access-date=June 13, 2018 |publisher=]}}</ref> In 2017, the cost decreased approximately 90 percent, as Waymo converted to in-house built lidar.<ref name="Amadeo17">{{cite web |author=Ron Amadeo |date=January 9, 2017 |title=Google's Waymo invests in LIDAR technology, cuts costs by 90 percent |url=https://arstechnica.com/cars/2017/01/googles-waymo-invests-in-lidar-technology-cuts-costs-by-90-percent/ |access-date=June 13, 2018 |publisher=]}}</ref> Waymo has applied its technology to various cars including the Prius, ], ] ], and ].<ref name="Wired2012">{{cite magazine |author=Damon Lavrinc |date=April 16, 2012 |title=Exclusive: Google Expands Its Autonomous Fleet With Hybrid Lexus RX450h |url=https://www.wired.com/autopia/2012/04/google-autonomous-lexus-rx450h/ |magazine=] |access-date=April 24, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Gibbs |first=Samuel |date=November 7, 2017 |title=Google sibling Waymo launches fully autonomous ride-hailing service |language=en-GB |work=The Guardian |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2017/nov/07/google-waymo-announces-fully-autonomous-ride-hailing-service-uber-alphabet |access-date=December 3, 2017 |issn=0261-3077}}</ref> Waymo partners with Lyft on pilot projects and product development.<ref name="Isaac17">{{cite news |last1=Isaac |first1=Mike |date=May 14, 2017 |title=Lyft and Waymo Reach Deal to Collaborate on Self-Driving Cars |newspaper=] |url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/14/technology/lyft-waymo-self-driving-cars.html |access-date=June 13, 2018}}</ref> Waymo ordered an additional 500 Pacifica hybrids in 2017.


] ]


In March 2018, Jaguar Land Rover announced that Waymo had ordered up to 20,000 of its ] electric SUVs at an estimated cost of more than $1&nbsp;billion.<ref name="Higgins18">{{cite news |last1=Higgins |first1=Tim |last2=Dawson |first2=Chester |date=March 27, 2018 |title=Waymo Orders Up to 20,000 Jaguar SUVs for Driverless Fleet |newspaper=] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/waymo-orders-up-to-20-000-jaguar-suvs-for-driverless-fleet-1522159944 |access-date=June 13, 2018}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Topham |first=Gwyn |date=March 27, 2018 |title=Jaguar to supply 20,000 cars to Google's self-driving spin-off Waymo |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/mar/27/waymo-self-driving-taxis-jaguar-land-rover |access-date=March 28, 2018 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref> In late May 2018, Alphabet announced plans to add up to 62,000 Pacifica Hybrid minivans to the fleet.<ref name="Hawkins18">{{cite web |author=Andrew J. Hawkins |date=January 30, 2018 |title=Waymo strikes a deal to buy 'thousands' more self-driving minivans from Fiat Chrysler |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/30/16948356/waymo-google-fiat-chrysler-pacfica-minivan-self-driving |access-date=June 13, 2018 |publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=della Cava |first1=Marco |title=Waymo will add up to 62,000 FCA minivans to self-driving fleet |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/talkingtech/2018/05/31/waymo-add-up-62-000-fca-minivans-self-driving-fleet/659160002/ |access-date=June 1, 2018 |website=USA Today |language=en}}</ref> Also in May 2018, Waymo established Huimo Business Consulting subsidiary in Shanghai.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Bergen |first1=Mark |last2=Spears |first2=Lee |date=August 24, 2018 |title=Waymo's Shanghai Subsidiary Gives Alphabet Another Route Back to China |publisher=Bloomberg L.P. |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-08-23/waymo-forms-china-subsidiary-as-parent-alphabet-eyes-return |access-date=August 24, 2018}}</ref> In March 2018, Jaguar Land Rover announced that Waymo had ordered up to 20,000 of its ] electric SUVs at an estimated cost of more than $1&nbsp;billion.<ref name="Higgins18">{{cite news |last1=Higgins |first1=Tim |last2=Dawson |first2=Chester |date=March 27, 2018 |title=Waymo Orders Up to 20,000 Jaguar SUVs for Driverless Fleet |newspaper=] |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/waymo-orders-up-to-20-000-jaguar-suvs-for-driverless-fleet-1522159944 |access-date=June 13, 2018}}</ref><ref name=":1">{{Cite web |last=Topham |first=Gwyn |date=March 27, 2018 |title=Jaguar to supply 20,000 cars to Google's self-driving spin-off Waymo |url=https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2018/mar/27/waymo-self-driving-taxis-jaguar-land-rover |access-date=March 28, 2018 |website=The Guardian |language=en}}</ref> In late May 2018, Alphabet announced plans to add up to 62,000 Pacifica Hybrid minivans to the fleet.<ref name="Hawkins18">{{cite web |author=Andrew J. Hawkins |date=January 30, 2018 |title=Waymo strikes a deal to buy 'thousands' more self-driving minivans from Fiat Chrysler |url=https://www.theverge.com/2018/1/30/16948356/waymo-google-fiat-chrysler-pacfica-minivan-self-driving |access-date=June 13, 2018 |publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=della Cava |first1=Marco |title=Waymo will add up to 62,000 FCA minivans to self-driving fleet |url=https://www.usatoday.com/story/tech/talkingtech/2018/05/31/waymo-add-up-62-000-fca-minivans-self-driving-fleet/659160002/ |access-date=June 1, 2018 |website=USA Today |language=en}}</ref> Also in May 2018, Waymo established Huimo Business Consulting subsidiary in Shanghai.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Bergen |first1=Mark |last2=Spears |first2=Lee |date=August 24, 2018 |title=Waymo's Shanghai Subsidiary Gives Alphabet Another Route Back to China |publisher=Bloomberg L.P. |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2018-08-23/waymo-forms-china-subsidiary-as-parent-alphabet-eyes-return |access-date=August 24, 2018}}</ref>
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In March 2020, Waymo Via was launched after the company's announcement that it had raised $2.25&nbsp;billion from investors.<ref name="cnbc-waymovia-2020-03">{{Cite web |last=LeBeau |first=Phil |date=March 2, 2020 |title=Waymo launches delivery service after raising $2.25 billion |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/02/waymo-launches-delivery-service-after-raising-2point25-billion.html |access-date=March 3, 2020 |publisher=] |language=en}}</ref> In May 2020, Waymo raised an additional $750&nbsp;million.<ref name="funding-fool">{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Daniel |date=May 13, 2020 |title=Waymo Drives an Additional $750 million in Funding |url=https://www.fool.com/investing/2020/05/13/waymo-drives-an-additional-750-million-in-funding.aspx |access-date=July 1, 2020 |website=The Motley Fool |language=en}}</ref> In July 2020, the company announced an exclusive partnership with auto manufacturer ] to integrate Waymo technology.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|last=Silver|first=David|title=Waymo And Volvo Form Exclusive Self-Driving Partnership|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidsilver/2020/06/29/waymo-and-volvo-form-exclusive-self-driving-partnership/|access-date=July 1, 2020|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=June 25, 2020|title=Volvo Cars, Waymo partner to build self-driving vehicles|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-waymo-volvo-autonomous-idUSKBN23W2V0|access-date=July 1, 2020}}</ref> In March 2020, Waymo Via was launched after the company's announcement that it had raised $2.25&nbsp;billion from investors.<ref name="cnbc-waymovia-2020-03">{{Cite web |last=LeBeau |first=Phil |date=March 2, 2020 |title=Waymo launches delivery service after raising $2.25 billion |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2020/03/02/waymo-launches-delivery-service-after-raising-2point25-billion.html |access-date=March 3, 2020 |publisher=] |language=en}}</ref> In May 2020, Waymo raised an additional $750&nbsp;million.<ref name="funding-fool">{{Cite web |last=Miller |first=Daniel |date=May 13, 2020 |title=Waymo Drives an Additional $750 million in Funding |url=https://www.fool.com/investing/2020/05/13/waymo-drives-an-additional-750-million-in-funding.aspx |access-date=July 1, 2020 |website=The Motley Fool |language=en}}</ref> In July 2020, the company announced an exclusive partnership with auto manufacturer ] to integrate Waymo technology.<ref name=":12">{{Cite web|last=Silver|first=David|title=Waymo And Volvo Form Exclusive Self-Driving Partnership|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidsilver/2020/06/29/waymo-and-volvo-form-exclusive-self-driving-partnership/|access-date=July 1, 2020|website=Forbes|language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|date=June 25, 2020|title=Volvo Cars, Waymo partner to build self-driving vehicles|language=en|work=Reuters|url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-waymo-volvo-autonomous-idUSKBN23W2V0|access-date=July 1, 2020}}</ref>


In April 2021, Krafcik was replaced by two co-CEOs: Waymo's COO Tekedra Mawakana and ] Dmitri Dolgov.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nieva|first=Richard|date=April 2, 2021|title=Waymo CEO John Krafcik to step down from self-driving car company|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/waymo-ceo-john-krafcik-to-step-down-from-self-driving-car-company/|access-date=April 4, 2021|publisher=CNET|language=en}}</ref> Waymo raised $2.5&nbsp;billion in another funding round in June 2021,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sebastian |first1=Dave |title=Waymo Raises $2.5 Billion in Funding Round |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/waymo-raises-2-5-billion-in-funding-round-11623854400 |access-date=July 13, 2021 |website=] |date=June 16, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Alamalhodaei |first1=Aria |title=Waymo, Alphabet's self-driving arm, raises $2.5B in second external investment round |url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/06/16/waymo-alphabets-self-driving-arm-raises-2-5b-in-second-external-investment-round/ |website=] |access-date=July 13, 2021 |date=June 16, 2021 }}</ref> with total funding of $5.5&nbsp;billion.<ref name="cnbc-may22">{{Cite web |last=Fannin |first=Rebecca |date=May 21, 2022 |title=Where the billions spent on autonomous vehicles by U.S. and Chinese giants is heading |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/21/why-the-first-autonomous-vehicles-winners-wont-be-in-your-driveway.html |access-date=2022-05-22 |publisher=]}}</ref> Waymo launched a consumer testing program in San Francisco in August 2021.<ref name=":13" /><ref name=":15" /> ] Holding said it would partner with Waymo to make electric vehicles from its premium electric mobility brand, Zeekr, to be deployed as fully autonomous ride-hailing vehicles across the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Waymo and China's Zeekr partner to develop driverless taxis |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2021/12/29/waymo-and-china039s-zeekr-partner-to-develop-driverless-taxis |access-date=December 29, 2021 |website=The Star |language=en}}</ref> In April 2021, Krafcik was replaced by two co-CEOs: Waymo's COO Tekedra Mawakana and ] Dmitri Dolgov.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Nieva|first=Richard|date=April 2, 2021|title=Waymo CEO John Krafcik to step down from self-driving car company|url=https://www.cnet.com/news/waymo-ceo-john-krafcik-to-step-down-from-self-driving-car-company/|access-date=April 4, 2021|publisher=CNET|language=en}}</ref> Waymo raised $2.5&nbsp;billion in another funding round in June 2021,<ref>{{cite news |last1=Sebastian |first1=Dave |title=Waymo Raises $2.5 Billion in Funding Round |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/waymo-raises-2-5-billion-in-funding-round-11623854400 |access-date=July 13, 2021 |website=] |date=June 16, 2021}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Alamalhodaei |first1=Aria |title=Waymo, Alphabet's self-driving arm, raises $2.5B in second external investment round |url=https://techcrunch.com/2021/06/16/waymo-alphabets-self-driving-arm-raises-2-5b-in-second-external-investment-round/ |website=] |access-date=July 13, 2021 |date=June 16, 2021 }}</ref> with total funding of $5.5&nbsp;billion.<ref name="cnbc-may22">{{Cite web |last=Fannin |first=Rebecca |date=May 21, 2022 |title=Where the billions spent on autonomous vehicles by U.S. and Chinese giants is heading |url=https://www.cnbc.com/2022/05/21/why-the-first-autonomous-vehicles-winners-wont-be-in-your-driveway.html |access-date=2022-05-22 |publisher=]}}</ref> Waymo launched a consumer testing program in San Francisco in August 2021.<ref name=":13" /><ref name=":15" />


In May 2022, Waymo started a pilot program seeking riders in downtown ].<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |last1=Randazzo |first1=Ryan |title=Waymo to start offering autonomous rides to public in central, downtown Phoenix |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/money/business/tech/2022/05/10/waymo-offer-autonomous-vehicle-rides-phoenix/9711015002/ |access-date=May 11, 2022 |work=] |date=May 10, 2022}}</ref><ref name=":15">{{Cite journal |last1=Blye |first1=Andy |title=Waymo opens autonomous service to select Phoenix passengers |journal=Phoenix Business Journal |date=May 10, 2022 |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2022/05/10/waymo-trusted-tester-phoenix.html |access-date=May 11, 2022|url-access=subscription}}</ref> In May 2022, Waymo announced that it would expand the program to more areas of Phoenix.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Valencia |first=Peter |title=Waymo to launch self-driving cars program at Phoenix Sky Harbor in next few weeks |url=https://www.azfamily.com/2022/05/18/waymo-launch-self-driving-cars-program-phoenix-sky-harbor-next-few-weeks/ |access-date=2022-05-22 |website=] |date=May 18, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> In 2023, coverage of the Waymo One area was increased by {{Convert|45|sqmi|abbr=out}}, expanding to include downtown Mesa, uptown Phoenix, and South Mountain Village.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vanek |first=Corina |date=July 11, 2023 |title=Waymo expands coverage area in Phoenix. Here's what to know to hail a robotaxi |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/money/business/tech/2023/07/11/waymo-one-expands-phoenix/70399131007/ |work=] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rice |first=Wills |date=July 9, 2023 |title=Waymo adding 45 square miles of metro Phoenix car service |url=https://ktar.com/story/5514377/waymo-adding-45-square-miles-of-metro-phoenix-car-service/ |publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mixer |first=Kelly |date=July 15, 2023 |title=Waymo One expands another 45 square miles in metro Phoenix |url=https://www.citysuntimes.com/business/waymo-one-expands-another-45-square-miles-in-metro-phoenix/article_00d1b6f4-2289-11ee-9c37-3ff82179aa99.html |work=City Sun Times}}</ref> In May 2022, Waymo started a pilot program seeking riders in downtown ].<ref name=":13">{{Cite web |last1=Randazzo |first1=Ryan |title=Waymo to start offering autonomous rides to public in central, downtown Phoenix |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/money/business/tech/2022/05/10/waymo-offer-autonomous-vehicle-rides-phoenix/9711015002/ |access-date=May 11, 2022 |work=] |date=May 10, 2022}}</ref><ref name=":15">{{Cite journal |last1=Blye |first1=Andy |title=Waymo opens autonomous service to select Phoenix passengers |journal=Phoenix Business Journal |date=May 10, 2022 |url=https://www.bizjournals.com/phoenix/news/2022/05/10/waymo-trusted-tester-phoenix.html |access-date=May 11, 2022|url-access=subscription}}</ref> In May 2022, Waymo announced that it would expand the program to more areas of Phoenix.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Valencia |first=Peter |title=Waymo to launch self-driving cars program at Phoenix Sky Harbor in next few weeks |url=https://www.azfamily.com/2022/05/18/waymo-launch-self-driving-cars-program-phoenix-sky-harbor-next-few-weeks/ |access-date=2022-05-22 |website=] |date=May 18, 2022 |language=en}}</ref> In 2023, coverage of the Waymo One area was increased by {{Convert|45|sqmi|abbr=out}}, expanding to include downtown Mesa, uptown Phoenix, and South Mountain Village.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Vanek |first=Corina |date=July 11, 2023 |title=Waymo expands coverage area in Phoenix. Here's what to know to hail a robotaxi |url=https://www.azcentral.com/story/money/business/tech/2023/07/11/waymo-one-expands-phoenix/70399131007/ |work=] }}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Rice |first=Wills |date=July 9, 2023 |title=Waymo adding 45 square miles of metro Phoenix car service |url=https://ktar.com/story/5514377/waymo-adding-45-square-miles-of-metro-phoenix-car-service/ |publisher=]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Mixer |first=Kelly |date=July 15, 2023 |title=Waymo One expands another 45 square miles in metro Phoenix |url=https://www.citysuntimes.com/business/waymo-one-expands-another-45-square-miles-in-metro-phoenix/article_00d1b6f4-2289-11ee-9c37-3ff82179aa99.html |work=City Sun Times}}</ref>
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In January 2023, ] reported that Waymo staff were among those affected by Google's layoffs of around 12,000 workers. '']'' reported that Waymo was set to kill its trucking program.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bellan |first=Rebecca |date=January 24, 2023 |title=Waymo lays off staff as Alphabet announces 12,000 job cuts |url=https://techcrunch.com/2023/01/24/waymo-lays-off-staff-as-alphabet-announces-12000-job-cuts/ |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref> In January 2023, ] reported that Waymo staff were among those affected by Google's layoffs of around 12,000 workers. '']'' reported that Waymo was set to kill its trucking program.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Bellan |first=Rebecca |date=January 24, 2023 |title=Waymo lays off staff as Alphabet announces 12,000 job cuts |url=https://techcrunch.com/2023/01/24/waymo-lays-off-staff-as-alphabet-announces-12000-job-cuts/ |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref>

In July 2024, Waymo began testing its sixth-generation robotaxis which are based on electric vehicles by Chinese automobile company ], developed in a partnership first announced in 2021.<ref name=":18">{{Cite web|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2024/09/04/technology/waymo-expansion-alphabet.html|title=Waymo’s Robot Taxis Are Almost Mainstream. Can They Now Turn a Profit?|date=September 4, 2024}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Waymo and China's Zeekr partner to develop driverless taxis |url=https://www.thestar.com.my/business/business-news/2021/12/29/waymo-and-china039s-zeekr-partner-to-develop-driverless-taxis |access-date=December 29, 2021 |website=The Star |date=December 29, 2021 |language=en}}</ref> They were anticipated to reduce costs, at a time when Waymo was operating at a loss.<ref name=":18" />

In October 2024, Waymo closed a $5.6 billion funding round led by Alphabet, aimed at expanding its robotaxi services, bringing its total capital to over $11 billion.<ref name=":17" /> Around that time, the New York Times described Waymo as being "far ahead of the competition", in particular after ] had to suspend its operations after an accident in 2023.<ref name=":18" />


==Technology== ==Technology==
] retrofitted by Google for its self-driving car project]] ] retrofitted by Google for its self-driving car project (2012)]]


Google has invested heavily in ] and ] hardware such as the ] (TPU) to augment ]'s ]s (GPUs) and ] ]s (CPUs).<ref>{{Cite news |title=Intel is collaborating with Waymo on self-driving car technology |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/intel-waymo-self-driving-car-technology-2017-9 |access-date=December 12, 2017 |work=Business Insider |language=en}}</ref> Much of this is shrouded in trade secrets, but ] technology for inference is probably involved.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/11/waymo-shows-off-its-futuristic-transportation-as-a-service-vehicle/| access-date=2023-11-06 |title=Waymo shows off its next truly driverless prototype car| date=November 17, 2022 }}</ref> Google has invested heavily in ] and ] hardware such as the ] (TPU) to augment ]'s ]s (GPUs) and ] ]s (CPUs).<ref>{{Cite news |title=Intel is collaborating with Waymo on self-driving car technology |url=http://www.businessinsider.com/intel-waymo-self-driving-car-technology-2017-9 |access-date=December 12, 2017 |work=Business Insider |language=en}}</ref> Much of this is shrouded in trade secrets, but ] technology for inference is probably involved.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/gadgets/2022/11/waymo-shows-off-its-futuristic-transportation-as-a-service-vehicle/| access-date=2023-11-06 |title=Waymo shows off its next truly driverless prototype car| date=November 17, 2022 }}</ref>
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Waymo Carcraft is a virtual world where Waymo can simulate driving conditions.<ref name="Madrigal17">{{cite news |title=Inside Waymo's Secret World for Training Self-Driving Cars |last1=Madrigal |first1=Alexis C. |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/08/inside-waymos-secret-testing-and-simulation-facilities/537648/ |newspaper=] |date=August 23, 2017 |access-date=June 13, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Seppala17">{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/08/23/waymo-virtual-world-carcraft/ |title='Carcraft' is Waymo's virtual world for autonomous vehicle testing |author=Timothy J. Seppala |date=August 23, 2017 |work=] |access-date=June 13, 2018}}</ref> The simulator was named after the video game '']''.<ref name="Madrigal17" /><ref name="Seppala17" /> With Carcraft, 25,000 virtual self-driving cars navigate through models of Austin, Texas; ]; Phoenix, Arizona; and other cities.<ref name="Madrigal17" /> Waymo Carcraft is a virtual world where Waymo can simulate driving conditions.<ref name="Madrigal17">{{cite news |title=Inside Waymo's Secret World for Training Self-Driving Cars |last1=Madrigal |first1=Alexis C. |url=https://www.theatlantic.com/technology/archive/2017/08/inside-waymos-secret-testing-and-simulation-facilities/537648/ |newspaper=] |date=August 23, 2017 |access-date=June 13, 2018}}</ref><ref name="Seppala17">{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2017/08/23/waymo-virtual-world-carcraft/ |title='Carcraft' is Waymo's virtual world for autonomous vehicle testing |author=Timothy J. Seppala |date=August 23, 2017 |work=] |access-date=June 13, 2018}}</ref> The simulator was named after the video game '']''.<ref name="Madrigal17" /><ref name="Seppala17" /> With Carcraft, 25,000 virtual self-driving cars navigate through models of Austin, Texas; ]; Phoenix, Arizona; and other cities.<ref name="Madrigal17" />

As of 2024, Waymo's fifth-generation robotaxis were based on ] electric vehicles augmented with automatic driving equipment that according to Dolgov costs up to $100,000.<ref name=":18" /> Other costs include technicians that monitor rides, and real estate for storing and charging the vehicles.<ref name=":18" />


== Road testing == == Road testing ==
=== Chronology === === Chronology ===
] modified to operate as a Google driverless car, navigating a test course<ref>{{cite web |date=April 30, 2011 |title=The Test Driven Google Car |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDCwODblPMI&ab_channel=idels1 |access-date=April 30, 2011 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}}</ref>]] ] modified to operate as a Google driverless car, navigating a test course<ref>{{cite web |date=April 30, 2011 |title=The Test Driven Google Car |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xDCwODblPMI&ab_channel=idels1 |access-date=April 30, 2011 |via=YouTube}}{{cbignore}}{{Dead YouTube link|date=February 2022}}</ref> (2011)]]
In 2009, Google began testing its self-driving cars in the ].<ref name="Etherington18">{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/01/12/waymos-self-driving-chrysler-pacifica-begins-testing-in-san-francisco/ |title=Waymo's self-driving Chrysler Pacifica begins testing in San Francisco |author=Darrell Etherington |date=January 12, 2018 |publisher=] |access-date=June 13, 2018}}</ref> In 2009, Google began testing its self-driving cars in the ].<ref name="Etherington18">{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/01/12/waymos-self-driving-chrysler-pacifica-begins-testing-in-san-francisco/ |title=Waymo's self-driving Chrysler Pacifica begins testing in San Francisco |author=Darrell Etherington |date=January 12, 2018 |publisher=] |access-date=June 13, 2018}}</ref>


By December 2013, Nevada, Florida, California, and Michigan had passed laws permitting ]s.<ref>Muller, Joann. , ''Forbes'', September 26, 2012</ref> A law proposed in Texas allowed testing.<ref>, Texas Legislature Online, May 30, 2013</ref><ref>Whittington, Mark. , Yahoo! News, Fri, March 8, 2013</ref> By December 2013, Nevada, Florida, California, and Michigan had passed laws permitting ]s.<ref>Muller, Joann. , ''Forbes'', September 26, 2012</ref> A law proposed in Texas allowed testing.<ref>, Texas Legislature Online, May 30, 2013</ref><ref>Whittington, Mark. , Yahoo! News, Fri, March 8, 2013</ref>


In June 2015, Waymo announced that their vehicles had driven over {{convert|1000000|mi|abbr=on}} and that in the process they had encountered 200,000 stop signs, 600,000 traffic lights, and 180 million other vehicles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://accounts.google.com/ServiceLogin?passive=1209600&osid=1&continue=https://plus.google.com/%2BSelfDrivingCar/posts/iMHEMH9crJb&followup=https://plus.google.com/%2BSelfDrivingCar/posts/iMHEMH9crJb|title=Sign in – Google Accounts}}</ref> Prototype vehicles were driving in Mountain View.<ref>Murphy, Mike. , ''Quartz'', June 25, 2015</ref> Speeds were limited to {{convert|25|mph|abbr=on}} and had safety drivers aboard.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/google-self-driving-car-gets-pulled-over-going-too-slowly-n462671 |title=Google Self-Driving Car Gets Pulled Over — For Going Too Slowly |last1=Smith |first1=Alexander |last2=Hansen |first2=Shelby |date=November 13, 2015 |publisher=] |access-date=November 13, 2015 |quote=A Google self-driving car was pulled over by police because the vehicle was traveling too slowly, officials said. The officer in Mountain View, California, noticed traffic backing up behind the prototype vehicle, which was traveling 24 mph in a 35 mph zone, the force said.}}</ref> Google took its first driverless ride on public roads in October 2015, when Mahan took a 10-minute ride around Austin in a Google "pod car" with no steering wheel or pedals.<ref name="Davies17">{{cite news |last1=Davies |first1=Lex |date=November 7, 2017 |title=Wymo has taken the human out of its self-driving cars |newspaper=] |url=https://www.wired.com/story/waymo-google-arizona-phoenix-driverless-self-driving-cars/ |access-date=June 13, 2018}}</ref> Google expanded its road-testing to Texas, where regulations did not prohibit cars without pedals or a steering wheel.<ref name="yahoo.com">{{Cite web|title = California's Red Tape Slows Google's Self-Driving Roll| date=November 16, 2015 |url = https://www.yahoo.com/autos/californias-red-tape-slows-googles-self-driving-150534398.html|publisher = Yahoo!|access-date = November 16, 2015}}</ref> In June 2015, Waymo announced that their vehicles had driven over {{convert|1000000|mi|abbr=on}} and that in the process they had encountered 200,000 stop signs, 600,000 traffic lights, and 180 million other vehicles.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://accounts.google.com/ServiceLogin?passive=1209600&osid=1&continue=https://plus.google.com/+SelfDrivingCar/posts/iMHEMH9crJb&followup=https://plus.google.com/+SelfDrivingCar/posts/iMHEMH9crJb|title=Anmelden – Google Konten|website=accounts.google.com}}</ref> Prototype vehicles were driving in Mountain View.<ref>Murphy, Mike. , ''Quartz'', June 25, 2015</ref> Speeds were limited to {{convert|25|mph|abbr=on}} and had safety drivers aboard.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-news/google-self-driving-car-gets-pulled-over-going-too-slowly-n462671 |title=Google Self-Driving Car Gets Pulled Over — For Going Too Slowly |last1=Smith |first1=Alexander |last2=Hansen |first2=Shelby |date=November 13, 2015 |publisher=] |access-date=November 13, 2015 |quote=A Google self-driving car was pulled over by police because the vehicle was traveling too slowly, officials said. The officer in Mountain View, California, noticed traffic backing up behind the prototype vehicle, which was traveling 24 mph in a 35 mph zone, the force said.}}</ref> Google took its first driverless ride on public roads in October 2015, when Mahan took a 10-minute ride around Austin in a Google "pod car" with no steering wheel or pedals.<ref name="Davies17">{{cite news |last1=Davies |first1=Lex |date=November 7, 2017 |title=Wymo has taken the human out of its self-driving cars |newspaper=] |url=https://www.wired.com/story/waymo-google-arizona-phoenix-driverless-self-driving-cars/ |access-date=June 13, 2018}}</ref> Google expanded its road-testing to Texas, where regulations did not prohibit cars without pedals or a steering wheel.<ref name="yahoo.com">{{Cite web|title = California's Red Tape Slows Google's Self-Driving Roll| date=November 16, 2015 |url = https://www.yahoo.com/autos/californias-red-tape-slows-googles-self-driving-150534398.html|publisher = Yahoo!|access-date = November 16, 2015}}</ref>


In 2016, road testing expanded to Phoenix and ], which has a wet climate.<ref name="Shepardson16">{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/01/12/waymos-self-driving-chrysler-pacifica-begins-testing-in-san-francisco/ |title=Google expanding self-driving vehicle testing to Phoenix, Arizona |author=David Shepardson |date=April 7, 2016 |publisher=] |access-date=June 13, 2018}}</ref> {{As of|2016|06}}, Google had test driven its fleet of vehicles in autonomous mode a total of {{convert|1725911|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Google Self-Driving Car Project Monthly Report – June 2016|url=https://static.googleusercontent.com/media/www.google.com/en//selfdrivingcar/files/reports/report-0616.pdf|access-date=July 15, 2016|archive-date=December 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213211930/http://static.googleusercontent.com/media/www.google.com/en//selfdrivingcar/files/reports/report-0616.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> In August 2016 alone, their cars traveled a "total of 170,000 miles; of those, 126,000 miles were autonomous (i.e., the car was fully in control)".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://static.googleusercontent.com/media/www.google.com/en//selfdrivingcar/files/reports/report-0816.pdf|title=Google Self-Driving Car Project Monthly Report August 2016|access-date=September 19, 2016|archive-date=December 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203061557/https://static.googleusercontent.com/media/www.google.com/en//selfdrivingcar/files/reports/report-0816.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> In 2016, road testing expanded to Phoenix and ], which has a wet climate.<ref name="Shepardson16">{{cite web |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/01/12/waymos-self-driving-chrysler-pacifica-begins-testing-in-san-francisco/ |title=Google expanding self-driving vehicle testing to Phoenix, Arizona |author=David Shepardson |date=April 7, 2016 |publisher=] |access-date=June 13, 2018}}</ref> {{As of|2016|06}}, Google had test driven its fleet of vehicles in autonomous mode a total of {{convert|1725911|mi|abbr=on}}.<ref>{{cite web|title=Google Self-Driving Car Project Monthly Report – June 2016|url=https://static.googleusercontent.com/media/www.google.com/en//selfdrivingcar/files/reports/report-0616.pdf|access-date=July 15, 2016|archive-date=December 13, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161213211930/http://static.googleusercontent.com/media/www.google.com/en//selfdrivingcar/files/reports/report-0616.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref> In August 2016 alone, their cars traveled a "total of 170,000 miles; of those, 126,000 miles were autonomous (i.e., the car was fully in control)".<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://static.googleusercontent.com/media/www.google.com/en//selfdrivingcar/files/reports/report-0816.pdf|title=Google Self-Driving Car Project Monthly Report August 2016|access-date=September 19, 2016|archive-date=December 3, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161203061557/https://static.googleusercontent.com/media/www.google.com/en//selfdrivingcar/files/reports/report-0816.pdf|url-status=dead}}</ref>
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In March 2022, Waymo began offering rides for Waymo staff in San Francisco without a driver.<ref name="sf-03022">{{Cite news |author1=Nico Grant |author2=Edward Ludlow |date=March 30, 2022 |title=Waymo, Chasing Cruise, Plans Fully Driverless Rides in San Francisco |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-30/google-s-waymo-to-offer-public-fully-driverless-rides-in-san-francisco |work=] |access-date=March 31, 2022 }}</ref> In March 2022, Waymo began offering rides for Waymo staff in San Francisco without a driver.<ref name="sf-03022">{{Cite news |author1=Nico Grant |author2=Edward Ludlow |date=March 30, 2022 |title=Waymo, Chasing Cruise, Plans Fully Driverless Rides in San Francisco |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-03-30/google-s-waymo-to-offer-public-fully-driverless-rides-in-san-francisco |work=] |access-date=March 31, 2022 }}</ref>


{{As of|2024|October}}, Waymo is offering 100,000 paid rides per week across its Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles markets.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Bobrowsky |first=Meghan |last2=Kruppa |first2=Miles |date=October 18, 2024 |title=How San Francisco Learned to Love Self-Driving Cars. Just last year, residents wanted to get rid of robotaxis. Now locals and tourists can’t get enough. |url=https://www.wsj.com/tech/waymo-san-francisco-self-driving-robotaxis-uber-244feecf |access-date=October 22, 2024 |work=]}}</ref> {{As of|2024|October}}, Waymo is offering 100,000 paid rides per week across its Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles markets.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Bobrowsky |first1=Meghan |last2=Kruppa |first2=Miles |date=October 18, 2024 |title=How San Francisco Learned to Love Self-Driving Cars. Just last year, residents wanted to get rid of robotaxis. Now locals and tourists can't get enough. |url=https://www.wsj.com/tech/waymo-san-francisco-self-driving-robotaxis-uber-244feecf |access-date=October 22, 2024 |work=]}}</ref>

In December 2024, Waymo announced its first international expansion with testing in ] in the neighborhoods of Shinjuku, Shibuya, Minato, Chiyoda, Chūō, Shinagawa, and Kōtō in partnership with ] and Japan's ].<ref name=":19" />


=== Crashes === === Crashes ===
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In 2023, the San Francisco group ''Safe Street Rebel'' used a practice called "coning" to trap Waymo and Cruise cars with traffic cones as a form of protest after claiming that the cars had been involved in hundreds of incidents.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kerr |first=Dana |date=August 26, 2023 |title=Armed with traffic cones, protesters are immobilizing driverless cars |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/08/26/1195695051/driverless-cars-san-francisco-waymo-cruise |publisher=NPR}}</ref> During the 2024 Lunar New Year in San Francisco Chinatown, protestors attacked, graffitied, and set fire to a Waymo car. No one was injured.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Javaid |first=Maham |date=February 12, 2024 |title=San Francisco crowd sets self-driving car on fire |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/02/12/waymo-set-on-fire-san-francisco/ |access-date=2024-02-13 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Quintana |first=Sergio |date=February 13, 2024 |title=Authorities work to identify people who set Waymo car on fire in San Francisco |url=https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/san-francisco/waymo-car-fire-san-francisco/3452091/ |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=NBC Bay Area |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2024, passengers during a Waymo ride described an attack by an onlooker who attempted to cover the car's sensors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pena |first=Luz |date=February 8, 2024 |title=SF couple describes feeling 'trapped' riding in Waymo driverless car that was being attacked |url=https://abc7news.com/waymo-sf-attacked-self-driving-car-incidents/14397184/ |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=ABC7 San Francisco |language=en}}</ref> In 2023, the San Francisco group ''Safe Street Rebel'' used a practice called "coning" to trap Waymo and Cruise cars with traffic cones as a form of protest after claiming that the cars had been involved in hundreds of incidents.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Kerr |first=Dana |date=August 26, 2023 |title=Armed with traffic cones, protesters are immobilizing driverless cars |url=https://www.npr.org/2023/08/26/1195695051/driverless-cars-san-francisco-waymo-cruise |publisher=NPR}}</ref> During the 2024 Lunar New Year in San Francisco Chinatown, protestors attacked, graffitied, and set fire to a Waymo car. No one was injured.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Javaid |first=Maham |date=February 12, 2024 |title=San Francisco crowd sets self-driving car on fire |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2024/02/12/waymo-set-on-fire-san-francisco/ |access-date=2024-02-13 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Quintana |first=Sergio |date=February 13, 2024 |title=Authorities work to identify people who set Waymo car on fire in San Francisco |url=https://www.nbcbayarea.com/news/local/san-francisco/waymo-car-fire-san-francisco/3452091/ |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=NBC Bay Area |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2024, passengers during a Waymo ride described an attack by an onlooker who attempted to cover the car's sensors.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pena |first=Luz |date=February 8, 2024 |title=SF couple describes feeling 'trapped' riding in Waymo driverless car that was being attacked |url=https://abc7news.com/waymo-sf-attacked-self-driving-car-incidents/14397184/ |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=ABC7 San Francisco |language=en}}</ref>


In 2024, a San Francisco city attorney had attempted to sue to prevent expansion of driverless vehicles including Waymo into San Francisco.<ref>{{Cite web {{!}} |first=Greg Wong {{!}} Examiner staff |date=January 24, 2024 |title=SF sues state regulators for robotaxi expansion |url=https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/transit/san-francisco-sues-cpuc-for-authorizing-waymo-expansion/article_7ebe569a-bb03-11ee-9ca3-ff53bee30f57.html |access-date=2024-02-13 |website=San Francisco Examiner |language=en}}</ref> ] government soon after also sent a letter to regulators opposing expansion to its county.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 15, 2024 |title=San Mateo County opposes Waymo's driverless-car expansion |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/02/15/san-mateo-county-opposes-waymos-driverless-car-expansion/ |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=The Mercury News |language=en-US}}</ref> In 2024, the city attorney of San Francisco attempted to sue to prevent expansion of driverless vehicles including Waymo into San Francisco.<ref>{{Cite web |last= |first= |date=2024-01-24 |title=SF sues state regulators for robotaxi expansion |url=https://www.sfexaminer.com/news/transit/san-francisco-sues-cpuc-for-authorizing-waymo-expansion/article_7ebe569a-bb03-11ee-9ca3-ff53bee30f57.html |access-date=2024-10-30 |website=San Francisco Examiner |language=en}}</ref> ] government soon after also sent a letter to regulators opposing expansion to its county.<ref>{{Cite web |date=February 15, 2024 |title=San Mateo County opposes Waymo's driverless-car expansion |url=https://www.mercurynews.com/2024/02/15/san-mateo-county-opposes-waymos-driverless-car-expansion/ |access-date=2024-02-17 |website=The Mercury News |language=en-US}}</ref>


In May 2024, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched an investigation into potential flaws in Waymo vehicles, focusing on 31 incidents that included Waymo vehicles ramming into a closing gate, driving on the wrong side of the road, and at least 17 crashes or fires.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Thadani |first1=Trisha |last2=Duncan |first2=Ian |date=May 24, 2024 |title=Major robotaxi firms face federal safety investigations after crashes |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/05/24/all-major-robotaxi-firms-are-facing-federal-safety-investigations/ |access-date=2024-05-26 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref> In May 2024, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched an investigation into potential flaws in Waymo vehicles, focusing on 31 incidents that included Waymo vehicles ramming into a closing gate, driving on the wrong side of the road, and at least 17 crashes or fires.<ref>{{Cite news |last1=Thadani |first1=Trisha |last2=Duncan |first2=Ian |date=May 24, 2024 |title=Major robotaxi firms face federal safety investigations after crashes |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2024/05/24/all-major-robotaxi-firms-are-facing-federal-safety-investigations/ |access-date=2024-05-26 |newspaper=The Washington Post |language=en-US |issn=0190-8286}}</ref>


In August of 2024, residents of San Francisco's ] district began to complain about noise pollution from Waymo vehicles honking at each other in a local parking lot. Residents reported that the car horns could be heard daily, with varying levels of activity, usually peaking at around 4 AM and during evening rush hour. The honking appears to have been triggered by the self-driving cars backing in and out of the lot.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Benj |date=2024-08-13 |title=Self-driving Waymo cars keep SF residents awake all night by honking at each other |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2024/08/self-driving-waymo-cars-keep-sf-residents-awake-all-night-by-honking-at-each-other/ |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us}}</ref> The story caught attention after a resident began live streaming the cars with ] music. Since then, Waymo Director of Product & Ops, Vishay Nihalani has appeared on the live stream to apologize and offer an explanation. Nihalani has assured locals that the honking will be fixed as further software updates are implemented.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Larson, Gooden |first=Amy, Lezla |date=19 August 2024 |title=Driverless Waymo cars still honking despite software fix |url=https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/driverless-waymo-cars-still-honking-despite-software-fix/ |url-status=live |access-date=6 September 2024 |work=KRON 4 News}}</ref> In August of 2024, residents of San Francisco's ] district began to complain about noise pollution from Waymo vehicles honking at each other in a local parking lot. Residents reported that the car horns could be heard daily, with varying levels of activity, usually peaking at around 4 AM and during evening rush hour. The honking appears to have been triggered by the self-driving cars backing in and out of the lot.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Edwards |first=Benj |date=2024-08-13 |title=Self-driving Waymo cars keep SF residents awake all night by honking at each other |url=https://arstechnica.com/information-technology/2024/08/self-driving-waymo-cars-keep-sf-residents-awake-all-night-by-honking-at-each-other/ |access-date=2024-09-06 |website=Ars Technica |language=en-us}}</ref> The story caught attention after a resident began live streaming the cars with ] music. Since then, Waymo Director of Product & Ops, Vishay Nihalani has appeared on the live stream to apologize and offer an explanation. Nihalani has assured locals that the honking will be fixed as further software updates are implemented.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Larson, Gooden |first=Amy, Lezla |date=19 August 2024 |title=Driverless Waymo cars still honking despite software fix |url=https://www.kron4.com/news/bay-area/driverless-waymo-cars-still-honking-despite-software-fix/ |access-date=6 September 2024 |work=KRON 4 News}}</ref>


==Services== ==Services==
Waymo highlighted four specific business uses for its autonomous tech in 2017: Robotaxis, trucking and logistics, urban public transportation, and passenger cars.<ref name="della Cava17" /> In 2017, Waymo highlighted four specific business uses for its autonomous tech: Robotaxis, trucking and logistics, urban public transportation, and passenger cars.<ref name="della Cava17" />


=== Robotaxis === === Robotaxis ===
{{Excerpt|Robotaxi|paragraphs=1}} {{Excerpt|Robotaxi|paragraphs=1}}
Waymo offers robotaxi services in Phoenix, Arizona and in San Francisco,<ref name="sf-08021" /> and Los Angeles, California.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kerr |first=Dana |date=March 14, 2024 |title=Waymo's robotaxi service set to expand into Los Angeles |website=] |url= https://www.npr.org/2024/03/14/1238489046/waymo-robotaxi-los-angeles}}</ref> Waymo's autonomous robotaxi was developed by ] and ].<ref>{{cite web |last=Bassett |first=Abigail |author-link=Abigail Bassett |date=November 21, 2022 |title=Waymo's new robotaxi is an all-electric people mover with no steering wheel |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/11/21/23471183/waymo-zeekr-geely-autonomous-vehicle-av-robotaxi |access-date=2024-01-15 |website=The Verge}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | last=Liao | first=Rita | title=Waymo-Zeekr robotaxi poised for US testing by end of 2023 | website=TechCrunch | date=October 9, 2023 | url=https://techcrunch.com/2023/10/08/geely-waymo-robotaxi-to-test-in-us/ | access-date=2024-01-15}}</ref> Waymo offers robotaxi services in Phoenix, Arizona and in San Francisco,<ref name="sf-08021" /> and Los Angeles, California.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kerr |first=Dana |date=March 14, 2024 |title=Waymo's robotaxi service set to expand into Los Angeles |website=] |url= https://www.npr.org/2024/03/14/1238489046/waymo-robotaxi-los-angeles}}</ref>


=== Trucking and delivery === === Trucking and delivery ===
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=== ''Waymo LLC v. Uber Technologies, Inc. et al.'' === === ''Waymo LLC v. Uber Technologies, Inc. et al.'' ===
In February 2017, Waymo sued Uber and its subsidiary self-driving trucking company, ], alleging ] theft and patent infringement. The company claimed that three ex-Google employees, including Anthony Levandowski, had stolen trade secrets, including thousands of files, from Google before joining Uber.<ref name= "Wakabayashi">{{Cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/09/technology/uber-waymo-lawsuit-driverless.html|title=Uber and Waymo Settle Trade Secrets Suit Over Driverless Cars|last=Wakabayashi|first= Daisuke|date=February 9, 2018|work=The New York Times|access-date= February 23, 2019|language=en-US|issn= 0362-4331}}</ref> The alleged infringement was related to Waymo's proprietary lidar technology,<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://tsi.brooklaw.edu/cases/waymo-llc-v-uber-technologies-inc-ottomotto-llc-otto-trucking-llc|title=Waymo LLC v. Uber Technologies, Inc; Ottomotto LLC; Otto Trucking LLC|website=Trade Secrets Institute | publisher = Brook law |access-date=March 18, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/02/23/technology/document-waymo-uber-complaint.html |title=Waymo's Complaint Against Uber|date=February 23, 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=March 18, 2017|issn= 0362-4331}}</ref> Google accused Uber of colluding with Levandowski.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/30/technology/waymo-uber-lawsuit.html |title=Secrets or Knowledge? Uber-Waymo Trial Tests Silicon Valley Culture|date=January 30, 2018|work=The New York Times|access-date=June 4, 2018 |language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Levandowski allegedly downloaded 9 gigabytes of data that included over a hundred trade secrets; eight of which were at stake during the trial.<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/8/16993208/waymo-v-uber-trial-trade-secrets-lidar |title=I'm not so sure Waymo's going to win against Uber|work=The Verge|access-date=June 4, 2018}}</ref><ref name= "Larson18">{{cite web |url= https://money.cnn.com/2018/02/07/technology/waymo-v-uber-technology/index.html |title=The tech at the center of the Waymo vs. Uber trade secrets case | first =Selena | last = Larson |date=February 7, 2018 |publisher=] |access-date=June 13, 2018}}</ref> In February 2017, Waymo sued Uber and its subsidiary self-driving trucking company, ], alleging ] theft and patent infringement. The company claimed that three ex-Google employees, including ], had stolen trade secrets, including thousands of files, from Google before joining Uber.<ref name= "Wakabayashi">{{Cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2018/02/09/technology/uber-waymo-lawsuit-driverless.html|title=Uber and Waymo Settle Trade Secrets Suit Over Driverless Cars|last=Wakabayashi|first= Daisuke|date=February 9, 2018|work=The New York Times|access-date= February 23, 2019|language=en-US|issn= 0362-4331}}</ref> The alleged infringement was related to Waymo's proprietary lidar technology,<ref>{{Cite web|url= http://tsi.brooklaw.edu/cases/waymo-llc-v-uber-technologies-inc-ottomotto-llc-otto-trucking-llc|title=Waymo LLC v. Uber Technologies, Inc; Ottomotto LLC; Otto Trucking LLC|website=Trade Secrets Institute | publisher = Brook law |access-date=March 18, 2017}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url = https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2017/02/23/technology/document-waymo-uber-complaint.html |title=Waymo's Complaint Against Uber|date=February 23, 2017|work=The New York Times|access-date=March 18, 2017|issn= 0362-4331}}</ref> Google accused Uber of colluding with Levandowski.<ref>{{Cite news|url= https://www.nytimes.com/2018/01/30/technology/waymo-uber-lawsuit.html |title=Secrets or Knowledge? Uber-Waymo Trial Tests Silicon Valley Culture|date=January 30, 2018|work=The New York Times|access-date=June 4, 2018 |language=en-US|issn=0362-4331}}</ref> Levandowski allegedly downloaded 9 gigabytes of data that included over a hundred trade secrets; eight of which were at stake during the trial.<ref>{{Cite news |url= https://www.theverge.com/2018/2/8/16993208/waymo-v-uber-trial-trade-secrets-lidar |title=I'm not so sure Waymo's going to win against Uber|work=The Verge|access-date=June 4, 2018}}</ref><ref name= "Larson18">{{cite web |url= https://money.cnn.com/2018/02/07/technology/waymo-v-uber-technology/index.html |title=The tech at the center of the Waymo vs. Uber trade secrets case | first =Selena | last = Larson |date=February 7, 2018 |publisher=] |access-date=June 13, 2018}}</ref>


An ensuing settlement gave Waymo 0.34% of Uber stock,<ref name= "Wakabayashi"/> the equivalent of $245&nbsp;million. Uber agreed not to infringe Waymo's intellectual property.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Farivar|first1=Cyrus|title= Silicon Valley's most-watched trial ends as Waymo and Uber settle|url= https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/02/waymo-and-uber-end-trial-with-sudden-244-million-settlement/|access-date=February 9, 2018| work =Ars Technica |date=February 9, 2018}}</ref> Part of the agreement included a guarantee that "Waymo confidential information is not being incorporated in Uber Advanced Technologies Group hardware and software."{{Sfn | Larson | 2018}} In statements released after the settlement, Uber maintained that it received no trade secrets.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-uber-waymo-settlement-20180209-story.html|title=Uber reaches settlement with Waymo in dispute over trade secrets|last1=Lien|first1=Russ | last2 = Mitchell | first2 = Tracey|website=]|date= February 10, 2018 |access-date=June 4, 2018}}</ref> In May, according to an Uber spokesman, Uber had fired Levandowski, which resulted in the loss of roughly $250&nbsp;million of his equity in Uber, which almost exactly equaled the settlement.<ref name="Wakabayashi"/> Uber announced that it was halting production of self-driving trucks through Otto in July 2018, and the subsidiary company was shuttered.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Korosec |first=Kirsten |date=July 30, 2018 |title=Uber's self-driving trucks division is dead, long live Uber self-driving cars |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/07/30/ubers-self-driving-trucks-division-is-dead-long-live-uber-self-driving-cars/ |access-date=2022-12-31 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref> An ensuing settlement gave Waymo 0.34% of Uber stock,<ref name= "Wakabayashi"/> the equivalent of $245&nbsp;million. Uber agreed not to infringe Waymo's intellectual property.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Farivar|first1=Cyrus|title= Silicon Valley's most-watched trial ends as Waymo and Uber settle|url= https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2018/02/waymo-and-uber-end-trial-with-sudden-244-million-settlement/|access-date=February 9, 2018| work =Ars Technica |date=February 9, 2018}}</ref> Part of the agreement included a guarantee that "Waymo confidential information is not being incorporated in Uber Advanced Technologies Group hardware and software."{{Sfn | Larson | 2018}} In statements released after the settlement, Uber maintained that it received no trade secrets.<ref>{{Cite web|url= https://www.latimes.com/business/autos/la-fi-uber-waymo-settlement-20180209-story.html|title=Uber reaches settlement with Waymo in dispute over trade secrets|last1=Lien|first1=Russ | last2 = Mitchell | first2 = Tracey|website=]|date= February 10, 2018 |access-date=June 4, 2018}}</ref> In May, according to an Uber spokesman, Uber had fired Levandowski, which resulted in the loss of roughly $250&nbsp;million of his equity in Uber, which almost exactly equaled the settlement.<ref name="Wakabayashi"/> Uber announced that it was halting production of self-driving trucks through Otto in July 2018, and the subsidiary company was shuttered.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Korosec |first=Kirsten |date=July 30, 2018 |title=Uber's self-driving trucks division is dead, long live Uber self-driving cars |url=https://techcrunch.com/2018/07/30/ubers-self-driving-trucks-division-is-dead-long-live-uber-self-driving-cars/ |access-date=2022-12-31 |website=TechCrunch |language=en-US}}</ref>

Latest revision as of 00:36, 18 December 2024

Autonomous car technology company

Waymo LLC
Company typeSubsidiary
IndustryAutonomous cars
PredecessorGoogle Self-Driving Car Project
Founded
  • January 17, 2009; 15 years ago (January 17, 2009) (as the Google Self-Driving Car Project)
  • December 13, 2016; 8 years ago (2016-12-13) (as Waymo)
  • 2004; 20 years ago (2004) (as Stanford Self-Driving Car Team)
Founder
HeadquartersMountain View, California, USA
Area served
Key people
Number of employees2,500 (2023) Edit this on Wikidata
Parent
Websitewaymo.com
Waymo Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid undergoing testing in the San Francisco Bay Area (2017)

Waymo LLC, formerly known as the Google Self-Driving Car Project, is an American autonomous driving technology company headquartered in Mountain View, California. It is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc.

The company traces its origins to the Stanford Racing Team, which competed in the 2005 and 2007 Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Grand Challenges. Google's development of self-driving technology began in January 2009, led by Sebastian Thrun, the former director of the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (SAIL), and Anthony Levandowski, founder of 510 Systems and Anthony's Robots. After almost two years of road testing, the project was revealed in October 2010.

In fall 2015, Google provided "the world's first fully driverless ride on public roads". In December 2016, the project was renamed Waymo and spun out of Google as part of Alphabet. In October 2020, Waymo became the first company to offer service to the public without safety drivers in the vehicle. Waymo currently operates commercial robotaxi services in Phoenix (Arizona), San Francisco (California), and Los Angeles (California) with new services planned in Austin, Texas and Tokyo, Japan. As of October 2024, it offers 150,000 paid rides per week totalling over 1 million miles weekly.

Waymo is run by co-CEOs Tekedra Mawakana and Dmitri Dolgov. The company raised US$5.5 billion in multiple outside funding rounds by 2022 and raised $5.6 billion funding in 2024. Waymo has or had partnerships with multiple vehicle manufacturers, including Stellantis, Mercedes-Benz Group AG, Jaguar Land Rover, and Volvo.

History

See also: History of self-driving cars

Ground work

Google's development of self-driving technology began in January 17, 2009, at Google X lab, run by co-founder Sergey Brin. The project was launched at Google by Sebastian Thrun, the former director of the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (SAIL) and Anthony Levandowski, founder of 510 Systems and Anthony's Robots.

The initial software code and artificial intelligence (AI) design of the effort started before the team worked at Google, when Thrun and 15 engineers, including Dmitri Dolgov, Mike Montemerlo, Hendrik Dahlkamp, Sven Strohband, and David Stavens, built Stanley and Junior, Stanford's entries in the 2005 and 2007 DARPA Challenges. Later, aspects of this technology were used in a digital mapping project for SAIL called VueTool. In 2007, Google acqui-hired the entire VueTool team to help advance Google's Street View technology.

As part of Street View development, 100 Toyota Priuses were outfitted with Topcon digital mapping hardware developed by 510 Systems.

In 2008, the Street View team launched project Ground Truth, to create accurate road maps by extracting data from satellites and street views.

Pribot

In February 2008, a Discovery Channel producer for the documentary series Prototype This! phoned Levandowski. The producer requested to borrow Levandowski's Ghost Rider, the autonomous two-wheeled motocycle Levandowski's Berkeley team had built for the 2004 DARPA Grand Challenge that Levandowski had later donated to the Smithsonian. Since the motorcycle was not available, Levandowski offered to retrofit a Toyota Prius as a self-driving pizza delivery car for the show.

As a Google employee, Levandowski asked Larry Page and Thrun whether Google was interested in participating in the show. Both declined, citing liability issues. However, they authorized Levandowski to move forward with the project, as long as it was not associated with Google. Within weeks Levandowski founded Anthony's Robots to do so. He retrofitted the car with light detection and ranging technology (lidar), sensors, and cameras. The Stanford team (Stanley (vehicle)) provided its code base to the project. The ensuing episode depicting Pribot delivering pizza across the San Francisco Bay Bridge under police escort aired in December 2008.

The project success led Google to greenlight Google's self-driving car program in January 2009. In 2011, Google acquired 510 Systems (co-founded by Levandowski, Pierre-Yves Droz and Andrew Schultz), and Anthony's Robots for an estimated US$20 million. Levandowski's vehicle and hardware, and Stanford's AI technology and software, became the nucleus of the project.

A Firefly self-driving Waymo car (2017)

Project Chauffeur

After almost two years of road testing with seven vehicles, the New York Times revealed the existence of Google's project on October 9, 2010. Google announced its initiative later the same day.

Starting in 2010, lawmakers in various states expressed concerns over how to regulate autonomous vehicles. A related Nevada law went into effect on March 1, 2012. Google had been lobbying for such laws. A modified Prius was licensed by the Nevada Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) in May 2012. The car was "driven" by Chris Urmson with Levandowski in the passenger seat. This was the first US license for a self-driven car.

In January 2014 Google was granted a patent for a transportation service funded by advertising that included autonomous vehicles as a transport method. In late May, Google revealed an autonomous prototype, which had no steering wheel, gas pedal, or brake pedal. In December, Google unveiled a Firefly prototype that was planned to be tested on San Francisco Bay Area roads beginning in early 2015.

A self-driving car with the previous Google branding (2016)

In 2015, Levandowski left the project. In August 2015, Google hired former Hyundai Motor executive, John Krafcik, as CEO. In fall 2015, Google provided "the world's first fully driverless ride on public roads" in Austin, Texas to Steve Mahan, former CEO of the Santa Clara Valley Blind Center, who was a legally blind friend of principal engineer Nathaniel Fairfield. It was the first entirely autonomous trip on a public road. It was not accompanied by a test driver or police escort. The car had no steering wheel or floor pedals. By the end of 2015, Project Chauffeur had covered more than a million miles.

Google spent $1.1 billion on the project between 2009 and 2015. For comparison, the acquisition of Cruise Automation by General Motors in March 2016 was for $500 million, and Uber's acquisition of Otto in August 2016 was for $680 million.

Waymo

In May 2016, Google and Stellantis announced an order of 100 Chrysler Pacifica hybrid minivans to test the self-driving technology. In December 2016, the project was renamed Waymo and spun out of Google as part of Alphabet. The name was derived from "a new way forward in mobility". In May 2016, the company opened a 53,000-square-foot (4,900 m) technology center in Novi, Michigan.

In 2017, Waymo sued Uber for allegedly stealing trade secrets. Waymo began testing minivans without a safety driver on public roads in Chandler, Arizona, in October 2017. In 2017, Waymo unveiled new sensors and chips that are less expensive to manufacture, cameras that improve visibility, and wipers to clear the lidar system. At the beginning of the self-driving car program, they used a $75,000 lidar system from Velodyne. In 2017, the cost decreased approximately 90 percent, as Waymo converted to in-house built lidar. Waymo has applied its technology to various cars including the Prius, Audi TT, Fiat Chrysler Pacifica, and Lexus RX450h. Waymo partners with Lyft on pilot projects and product development. Waymo ordered an additional 500 Pacifica hybrids in 2017.

Waymo-operated Jaguar I-Pace in San Francisco (2023)

In March 2018, Jaguar Land Rover announced that Waymo had ordered up to 20,000 of its I-Pace electric SUVs at an estimated cost of more than $1 billion. In late May 2018, Alphabet announced plans to add up to 62,000 Pacifica Hybrid minivans to the fleet. Also in May 2018, Waymo established Huimo Business Consulting subsidiary in Shanghai.

In April 2019, Waymo announced plans for vehicle assembly in Detroit at the former American Axle & Manufacturing plant, bringing between 100 and 400 jobs to the area. Waymo used vehicle assembler Magna to turn Jaguar I-PACE electric SUVs and Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivans into Waymo Level 4 autonomous vehicles. Waymo subsequently reverted to retrofitting existing models rather than a custom design.

In March 2020, Waymo Via was launched after the company's announcement that it had raised $2.25 billion from investors. In May 2020, Waymo raised an additional $750 million. In July 2020, the company announced an exclusive partnership with auto manufacturer Volvo to integrate Waymo technology.

In April 2021, Krafcik was replaced by two co-CEOs: Waymo's COO Tekedra Mawakana and CTO Dmitri Dolgov. Waymo raised $2.5 billion in another funding round in June 2021, with total funding of $5.5 billion. Waymo launched a consumer testing program in San Francisco in August 2021.

In May 2022, Waymo started a pilot program seeking riders in downtown Phoenix, Arizona. In May 2022, Waymo announced that it would expand the program to more areas of Phoenix. In 2023, coverage of the Waymo One area was increased by 45 square miles (120 km), expanding to include downtown Mesa, uptown Phoenix, and South Mountain Village.

In June 2022, Waymo announced a partnership with Uber, under which Waymo will integrate its autonomous technology into Uber's freight truck service. Plans to expand the program to Los Angeles were announced in late 2022. On December 13, 2022, Waymo applied for the final permit necessary to operate fully autonomous taxis, without a backup driver present, within the state of California.

In January 2023, The Information reported that Waymo staff were among those affected by Google's layoffs of around 12,000 workers. TechCrunch reported that Waymo was set to kill its trucking program.

In July 2024, Waymo began testing its sixth-generation robotaxis which are based on electric vehicles by Chinese automobile company Zeekr, developed in a partnership first announced in 2021. They were anticipated to reduce costs, at a time when Waymo was operating at a loss.

In October 2024, Waymo closed a $5.6 billion funding round led by Alphabet, aimed at expanding its robotaxi services, bringing its total capital to over $11 billion. Around that time, the New York Times described Waymo as being "far ahead of the competition", in particular after Cruise had to suspend its operations after an accident in 2023.

Technology

A Lexus RX450h retrofitted by Google for its self-driving car project (2012)

Google has invested heavily in matrix multiplication and video processing hardware such as the Tensor Processing Unit (TPU) to augment Nvidia's graphics processing units (GPUs) and Intel central processing units (CPUs). Much of this is shrouded in trade secrets, but transformer (machine learning) technology for inference is probably involved.

Waymo manufactures a suite of self-driving hardware developed in-house. This includes sensors and hardware-enhanced vision system, radar, and lidar.

Sensors give 360-degree views while lidar detects objects up to 300 metres (980 ft) away. Short-range lidar images objects near the vehicle, while radar is used to see around other vehicles and track objects in motion.

Riders push buttons to control functions such as "help", "lock", "pull over", and "start ride".

Waymo's deep-learning architecture VectorNet predicts vehicle trajectories in complex traffic scenarios. It uses a graph neural network to model the interactions between vehicles and has demonstrated state-of-the-art performance on several benchmark datasets for trajectory prediction.

Waymo Carcraft is a virtual world where Waymo can simulate driving conditions. The simulator was named after the video game World of Warcraft. With Carcraft, 25,000 virtual self-driving cars navigate through models of Austin, Texas; Mountain View, California; Phoenix, Arizona; and other cities.

As of 2024, Waymo's fifth-generation robotaxis were based on Jaguar I-Pace electric vehicles augmented with automatic driving equipment that according to Dolgov costs up to $100,000. Other costs include technicians that monitor rides, and real estate for storing and charging the vehicles.

Road testing

Chronology

A Toyota Prius modified to operate as a Google driverless car, navigating a test course (2011)

In 2009, Google began testing its self-driving cars in the San Francisco Bay Area.

By December 2013, Nevada, Florida, California, and Michigan had passed laws permitting autonomous cars. A law proposed in Texas allowed testing.

In June 2015, Waymo announced that their vehicles had driven over 1,000,000 mi (1,600,000 km) and that in the process they had encountered 200,000 stop signs, 600,000 traffic lights, and 180 million other vehicles. Prototype vehicles were driving in Mountain View. Speeds were limited to 25 mph (40 km/h) and had safety drivers aboard. Google took its first driverless ride on public roads in October 2015, when Mahan took a 10-minute ride around Austin in a Google "pod car" with no steering wheel or pedals. Google expanded its road-testing to Texas, where regulations did not prohibit cars without pedals or a steering wheel.

In 2016, road testing expanded to Phoenix and Kirkland, Washington, which has a wet climate. As of June 2016, Google had test driven its fleet of vehicles in autonomous mode a total of 1,725,911 mi (2,777,585 km). In August 2016 alone, their cars traveled a "total of 170,000 miles; of those, 126,000 miles were autonomous (i.e., the car was fully in control)".

In 2017, Waymo reported a total of 636,868 miles covered by the fleet in autonomous mode, and the associated 124 disengagements, for the period from December 1, 2015, through November 30, 2016. In November Waymo altered its Arizona testing by removing safety drivers. The cars were geofenced within a 100-square-mile (260 km) region surrounding Chandler, Arizona.

In 2017, Waymo began testing its level 4 cars in Arizona to take advantage of good weather, simple roads, and reasonable laws.

In 2017, Waymo began testing in Michigan. Also, in 2017, Waymo unveiled its Castle test facility in Central Valley, California. Castle, a former airbase, has served as the project's training course since 2012.

In March 2018, Waymo announced its plans for experiments with the company's self-driving trucks delivering freight to Google data centers in Atlanta, Georgia. In October 2018, the California Department of Motor Vehicles issued a permit for Waymo to operate cars without safety drivers. Waymo was the first company to receive a permit that allowed day and night testing on public roads and highways. Waymo announced that its service would include Mountain View, Sunnyvale, Los Altos, and Palo Alto. In July 2019, Waymo received permission to transport passengers.

In December 2018, Waymo launched Waymo One, transporting passengers. The service used safety drivers to monitor some rides, with others provided in select areas without them. In November 2019, Waymo One became the first autonomous service worldwide to operate without safety drivers.

By January 2020, Waymo had completed twenty million miles (32,000,000 km) of driving on public roads.

In August 2021, commercial Waymo One test service started in San Francisco, beginning with a "trusted tester" rollout.

In March 2022, Waymo began offering rides for Waymo staff in San Francisco without a driver.

As of October 2024, Waymo is offering 100,000 paid rides per week across its Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles markets.

In December 2024, Waymo announced its first international expansion with testing in Tokyo, Japan in the neighborhoods of Shinjuku, Shibuya, Minato, Chiyoda, Chūō, Shinagawa, and Kōtō in partnership with Nihon Kotsu and Japan's GO taxi app.

Crashes

By July 2015, Google's 23 self-driving cars had been involved in 14 minor collisions on public roads. Google maintained that, in all but one case, the vehicle was not at fault because the cars were either driven manually or the driver of another vehicle was at fault.

By July 2021, the NHTSA had found 150 crashes by Waymo. Under NHTSA rules, crashes were reported if the system was in use in the prior 30 seconds, though most crashes did not have injuries.

Waymo regularly publishes safety reports. Waymo is required by the California DMV to report the number of incidents where the safety driver took control for safety reasons. Some incidents were not reported when simulations indicated that the car would have stopped safely on its own. In 2023, Waymo claimed only 3 crashes with injuries over 7.1 million miles driven, nearly twice as safe as a human driver.

A Waymo robotaxi killed a dog in San Francisco while in "autonomous mode" in May 2023.

In February 2024, a driverless Waymo robotaxi struck a cyclist in San Francisco. Later that same month, Waymo issued recalls for 444 of its vehicles after two hit the same truck being towed on a highway.

Limitations

Waymo operates in some of its testing markets, such as Chandler, Arizona, at L4 autonomy with no one sitting behind the steering wheel, sharing roadways with other drivers and pedestrians. Waymo's earlier testing focused on areas without harsh weather, extreme density, or complicated road systems, but it has moved on to test under new conditions. As a result, beginning in 2017, Waymo began testing in areas with harsher conditions, such as its winter testing in Michigan.

In 2014, a critic wrote in the MIT Technology Review that unmapped stoplights would cause problems with Waymo's technology and the self-driving technology could not detect potholes. Additionally, the lidar technology cannot spot some potholes or discern when humans, such as a police officer, signal the car to stop, the critic wrote. Waymo has worked to improve how its technology responds in construction zones.

California regulators do not require Waymo to disclose every incident involving erratic behavior in its fleet. In the first five months of 2023, San Francisco officials said they had logged more than 240 incidents in which a Cruise or Waymo vehicle might have created a safety hazard.

In 2021, it was noted that Waymo cars kept routing through the Richmond District of San Francisco, with up to 50 cars each day driving to a dead end street before turning around. In 2023, ABC7 News Bay Area posted a video of a journalist taking a ride in a Waymo vehicle, which stopped at a green light and dropped the journalist at the wrong stop twice, despite support intervention.

Backlash

In 2023, the San Francisco group Safe Street Rebel used a practice called "coning" to trap Waymo and Cruise cars with traffic cones as a form of protest after claiming that the cars had been involved in hundreds of incidents. During the 2024 Lunar New Year in San Francisco Chinatown, protestors attacked, graffitied, and set fire to a Waymo car. No one was injured. In 2024, passengers during a Waymo ride described an attack by an onlooker who attempted to cover the car's sensors.

In 2024, the city attorney of San Francisco attempted to sue to prevent expansion of driverless vehicles including Waymo into San Francisco. San Mateo County government soon after also sent a letter to regulators opposing expansion to its county.

In May 2024, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) launched an investigation into potential flaws in Waymo vehicles, focusing on 31 incidents that included Waymo vehicles ramming into a closing gate, driving on the wrong side of the road, and at least 17 crashes or fires.

In August of 2024, residents of San Francisco's SoMa district began to complain about noise pollution from Waymo vehicles honking at each other in a local parking lot. Residents reported that the car horns could be heard daily, with varying levels of activity, usually peaking at around 4 AM and during evening rush hour. The honking appears to have been triggered by the self-driving cars backing in and out of the lot. The story caught attention after a resident began live streaming the cars with lofi hip hop music. Since then, Waymo Director of Product & Ops, Vishay Nihalani has appeared on the live stream to apologize and offer an explanation. Nihalani has assured locals that the honking will be fixed as further software updates are implemented.

Services

In 2017, Waymo highlighted four specific business uses for its autonomous tech: Robotaxis, trucking and logistics, urban public transportation, and passenger cars.

Robotaxis

This section is an excerpt from Robotaxi.
Part of a series on
Self-driving cars & self-driving vehicles
Enablers
Topics
Related topics
Robotaxi
A robotaxi, also known as robot taxi, robo-taxi, self-driving taxi or driverless taxi, is an autonomous car (SAE automation level 4 or 5) operated for a ridesharing company.

Waymo offers robotaxi services in Phoenix, Arizona and in San Francisco, and Los Angeles, California.

Trucking and delivery

Waymo Via, launched in 2020 to work with OEMs to get its technology into vehicles. The company is testing Class 8 tractor-trailers in Atlanta, and southwest shipping routes across Texas, New Mexico, Arizona, and California. The company operates a trucking hub in Dallas, Texas. It is partnering with Daimler to integrate autonomous technology into a fleet of Freightliner Cascadia trucks.

Waymo operates 48 Class 8 autonomous trucks with safety drivers. In 2023 Waymo issued a joint application along with Aurora Innovation to the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration for a five-year exemption from rules that require drivers to place reflective triangles or a flare around a stopped tractor-trailer truck, to avoid needing human drivers, in favor of warning beacons mounted on the truck cab.

Waymo tested its technology in commercial delivery vehicles with United Parcel Service. In July 2020 Waymo and Stellantis expanded their partnership, including the development of Ram ProMaster delivery vehicles.

Legal matters

Waymo LLC v. Uber Technologies, Inc. et al.

In February 2017, Waymo sued Uber and its subsidiary self-driving trucking company, Otto, alleging trade secret theft and patent infringement. The company claimed that three ex-Google employees, including Anthony Levandowski, had stolen trade secrets, including thousands of files, from Google before joining Uber. The alleged infringement was related to Waymo's proprietary lidar technology, Google accused Uber of colluding with Levandowski. Levandowski allegedly downloaded 9 gigabytes of data that included over a hundred trade secrets; eight of which were at stake during the trial.

An ensuing settlement gave Waymo 0.34% of Uber stock, the equivalent of $245 million. Uber agreed not to infringe Waymo's intellectual property. Part of the agreement included a guarantee that "Waymo confidential information is not being incorporated in Uber Advanced Technologies Group hardware and software." In statements released after the settlement, Uber maintained that it received no trade secrets. In May, according to an Uber spokesman, Uber had fired Levandowski, which resulted in the loss of roughly $250 million of his equity in Uber, which almost exactly equaled the settlement. Uber announced that it was halting production of self-driving trucks through Otto in July 2018, and the subsidiary company was shuttered.

California disclosure dispute

In January 2022, Waymo sued the California Department of Motor Vehicles (DMV) to prevent data on driverless crashes from being released to the public. Waymo maintained that such information constituted a trade secret. According to The Los Angeles Times, the "topics Waymo wants to keep hidden include how it plans to handle driverless car emergencies, what it would do if a robot taxi started driving itself where it wasn't supposed to go, and what constraints there are on the car's ability to traverse San Francisco's tunnels, tight curves and steep hills."

In February 2022, Waymo was successful in preventing the release of robotaxi safety records. A Waymo spokesperson affirmed that the company would be transparent about its safety record.

References

  1. Kolodny, Jennifer Elias,Lora (December 17, 2024). "Waymo to begin testing in Tokyo, its first international destination". CNBC.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: multiple names: authors list (link)
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