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Definition: Waymo


The leading self-driving taxi service as of 2026. A division of Alphabet, Waymo stands for "WAY forward in MObile." Alphabet's mapping group created the Waymo technology.

In 2009, Google employees began testing Waymo-equipped Lexus SUVs in California, and after seven years of experience, the company was officially formed in 2016. The following year, the taxi service started with a fleet of Chrysler minivans, which were later dropped in favor of Jaguar electric vehicles.

Waymo Is Operating
Starting in 2020, trials began rolling out in Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta and Austin. Today, with ten million paid rides under its belt, Waymo is operating 24/7 as a commercial service with roughly 2,000 vehicles. A Waymo taxi did hit an oncoming bus at low speed, but there were no injuries. See self-driving cab.




Waymo Prototype
In 2014, Google designed a prototype self-driving car from scratch to further test the technology. These vehicles have no steering wheel, and in 2015, they joined the Lexus fleet. (Image courtesy of Google, Inc.)





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