Waymo in Portland

Source: Hacker News

Introduction

Waymo is coming to the Rose City! Portland has long been a pioneer in urban design, balancing an independent spirit with a deep commitment to sustainable, forward‑thinking living. This blend of innovation and community makes it an ideal place for Waymo’s next chapter.

Working with City Officials

We are actively collaborating with state and city officials, as well as community partners, to create a regulatory path for deployment and lay the groundwork for future service. Starting today, we’ll manually drive our vehicles to help familiarize the Waymo Driver with Portland’s distinct streetscapes—from iconic bridges to bustling, rain‑slicked corridors. By following our rigorous safety framework, we aim to eventually provide both lifelong residents and first‑time visitors with a safe, reliable, and stress‑free way to move through the city.

Safety and Vision Zero

“As a green transportation leader of one of the safest trucking companies in America, I’ve seen firsthand how emerging technology can transform safety for all road users,” said Keith Wilson, the Mayor of Portland.
“We need every tool to help us meet our Vision Zero goals, and autonomous technology plays an increasingly important role in providing a safe, thriving, affordable multimodal transportation system.”

Bringing Waymo to Portland supports the city’s ambitious Vision Zero goal of eliminating traffic fatalities. The Waymo Driver is built on a foundation of safety, demonstrating a 13× reduction in serious‑injury crashes in cities where it operates, and we are eager to bring these life‑saving benefits to Portland’s streets.

Partner Perspectives

“The mission of MADD is to make roadways safe for everyone, and key to that mission is ending impaired driving once and for all.” — Candace Reid, Program Director at MADD.
“The safe deployment of autonomous vehicles can play a critical role in preventing individuals from making the illegal and often deadly decision to drive while impaired. That’s why we’re very excited about Waymo’s coming to Portland. MADD has been a long‑time partner with Waymo and we are proud of our shared commitment to protect drivers, passengers, pedestrians, and the community from impaired driving.”

Stay Updated

Ready to experience Waymo in Portland? Sign up for updates and be among the first to ride when we’re ready: waymo.com/updates.