Waymo to begin testing in Chicago and Charlotte

Source: TechCrunch

Image Credits: Smith Collection/Gado / Getty Images

Waymo expansion to Chicago and Charlotte

Waymo is bringing its robotaxis to Chicago and Charlotte as part of its push to continue scaling autonomous vehicles, the company said Wednesday.

Mapping and early data collection

Starting today, Waymo will begin manual mapping and early data collection to lay the groundwork for operations in those cities. The company typically enters a new market by first conducting months of manual driving and mapping to understand local road conditions, traffic patterns, and edge cases before gradually introducing autonomous testing and eventually fully driverless operations.

Challenges in Chicago vs. Charlotte

• Charlotte – its suburban‑style layout and mild weather make it a comparatively easier use case.
• Chicago – harsh winters, heavy traffic, and dense urban complexity present a greater challenge. Successfully operating in Chicago would strengthen Waymo’s case that its system is nationally scalable and give the company another shot at a northern city after New York dropped a proposal that would have allowed commercial robotaxi pilots in parts of the state.

Recent expansions and funding

The news arrives the same week Waymo began offering commercial driverless operations in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando, bringing its total city count to 10.

Beyond Chicago and Charlotte, Waymo is also testing and planning launches in Denver, London, and Washington, D.C., among other cities. Earlier this month, the Alphabet‑owned autonomous‑vehicle company clinched $16 billion in funding to expand internationally.