Waymo to Begin Autonomous Vehicle Testing in Philadelphia

The autonomous ride-hailing service Waymo has announced it is expanding its services to Philadelphia.

Waymo, operated by Google's parent company, Alphabet, said it will continue testing vehicles around the city before launching public autonomous rides. Once the Waymo Driver learns the area, the company's vehicles can begin driving autonomously, the company said earlier this year.

Waymo officials, however, have not confirmed when full Waymo service will begin in the city, according to CBS News Philadelphia.

The PhillyVoice reported that Waymo has received PennDOT's permission to begin operating autonomously with drivers in their cars, according to Waymo spokesperson Ethan Teicher. The company's next step will be to obtain regulatory approval for fully autonomous driving.

PennDOT and the City of Philadelphia did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Waymo's announcement.

According to the PhillyVoice, Waymo began testing its vehicles on Philly's streets and highways, with drivers behind the wheel to align the mapping technology with the urban streetscape. The company's fleet includes Jaguar I-PACE SUVs and Chrysler Pacifica hybrid minivans. 

Waymo said it will initially serve Philly's "downtown core" before expanding operations to include rides to and from the suburbs, Teicher said.

According to TechCrunch, Philadelphia is one of more than 20 cities where the company is either offering rides, prepping a commercial launch, or testing. Waymo is also now offering rides on freeways in Los Angeles, Phoenix, and the San Francisco Bay Area. The company plans to be doing one million rides per week by the end of 2026.