Waymo’s driveless cars are hitting Phoenix’s freeways at long last

Waymo has announced the commencement of testing its driverless vehicles on highways and freeways, marking a significant expansion from the earlier restricted city street tests.

The company is starting the highway and freeway tests around Phoenix with the autonomous Jaguar I-Pace SUV, initially limiting access to company employees and their guests. The data collected during these tests will be utilized to provide faster routes throughout the area, particularly focusing on Phoenix airports.

Waymo’s move to test driverless vehicles on highways and freeways represents a significant step toward a world where autonomous driving becomes commonplace. This announcement follows the company’s successful track record in safety and contrasts with the challenges faced by driverless rival, Cruise, which has dealt with safety incidents leading to a temporary halt in its service.