Waymo to begin testing in Chicago and Charlotte

Waymo has announced that it will begin mapping and collecting data in Chicago and Charlotte this week. This expansion is part of the company's ongoing efforts to enhance its autonomous vehicle taxi program. Currently, Waymo operates its robotaxis fully autonomously in ten U.S. cities, indicating a significant growth in its service areas. In addition to the mapping efforts in Chicago and Charlotte, Waymo has launched its robotaxi service in four more cities: Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando. This brings the total number of cities where Waymo operates its driverless robotaxi service to ten. The company plans to invite a limited number of riders through the Waymo app in these new locations to ensure a smooth experience as it scales its operations. Waymo stated that it will be inviting new riders on a rolling basis, with the intention of opening the service to a broader audience later this year. Waymo's expansion into these new cities follows its announcement in November regarding plans to test vehicles in these areas. The company has also initiated a test phase in Miami, where its robotaxi service has begun accepting riders. This strategic growth reflects Waymo's commitment to advancing its autonomous ride-hailing services across the United States.