Get ready to see Waymo’s self-driving cars cruising through Philadelphia. The company, which Alphabet owns, Google’s parent company, confirmed that it will soon bring its vehicles to the city. But don’t get too excited about hailing a robotaxi just yet.
For now, the cars will only be used for mapping and testing. Every vehicle will have a human safety driver behind the wheel, ready to take over in the event of an emergency or a challenging situation. Waymo is sending its cars out to learn the city’s unique roads, from its narrow streets to its busy intersections.
In a post on the social network X, the company playfully announced its arrival, calling Philadelphia a “National Treasure” and a “city of love.” A spokesperson said people should expect to see the cars driving through various neighborhoods at all hours of the day and night. The goal is to gather as much data as possible to adapt its technology.
This initial testing phase is likely to last a considerable amount of time. For comparison, Waymo spent four years testing its cars in New York City, both on and off the road, before making any further moves. This suggests that a full, driverless taxi service in Philadelphia could still be several years away.
The move is part of Waymo’s broader plan to expand nationwide. The company already offers fully driverless rides in cities like Phoenix, San Francisco, and Austin. It is also being tested in Las Vegas and San Diego, with plans to expand to Miami and Washington, D.C., next. Waymo’s expansion comes as its rival, Tesla, recently launched its limited robotaxi service in Austin.
