The Google-backed autonomous vehicle company made the announcement Wednesday. Freeway service will debut first in the San Francisco Bay Area, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. Waymo previously began testing freeway driving under human supervision in Phoenix in early 2024.
Historically, Waymo has restricted its robotaxi services to urban areas, emphasizing safety before venturing onto faster roadways. After years of rigorous testing, the company now believes its technology is equipped to handle the complexities of freeway driving.