Waymo Expands Autonomous Services to San Jose Airport

Waymo, the autonomous driving subsidiary of Alphabet, has received approval to operate at the Mineta San Jose International Airport, marking a significant expansion of its service network. This development positions the airport as the first in California and the second globally to host Waymo's operations within its terminal. The trial run will be conducted in phases, beginning with Waymo employees testing the fully autonomous driving capabilities, followed by a public launch later this year.

Earlier this year, Waymo secured permission to conduct human-driven mapping at the San Francisco International Airport, laying the groundwork for future commercial services there. The company has already established operations at the Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport, where it launched curb-to-curb service by the end of 2023 and expanded to 24/7 service by August 2024. Waymo has completed tens of thousands of airport trips, making Sky Harbor one of the most popular destinations in Phoenix.

Waymo's fleet of autonomous ride-hailing vehicles now exceeds 2,000 units across the United States. The company has a significant presence in the San Francisco Bay Area with approximately 800 vehicles, 500 in Los Angeles, 400 in Phoenix, 100 in Austin, and a smaller fleet in Atlanta. Waymo recently announced plans to expand its services to Denver and Seattle, with additional cities like Dallas, Miami, and Washington D.C. in the pipeline. The company has also received approval to conduct testing in New York City.

This strategic move by Waymo underscores its commitment to expanding its autonomous driving services, particularly in high-traffic areas like airports. By integrating its technology into major transportation hubs, Waymo aims to enhance convenience and efficiency for travelers, while also gathering valuable data to improve its autonomous driving algorithms. The company's expansion into San Jose further solidifies its position as a leader in the autonomous driving industry, paving the way for broader adoption of self-driving technology in the future.