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MIAMI. – Waymo’s fully autonomous ride-hailing service is now available to a select group of people in South Florida, marking a notable expansion for the tech company.
The company announced this Thursday that it has begun offering rides in Miami and surrounding areas to the “almost 10,000 residents who have already registered” for the service.This initial rollout promises a glimpse into the future of transportation for Miami-Dade County.
According to its website, Waymo will “gradually invite new users to ensure a seamless experience across our initial 60-square-mile service area.”
Did you know? – Waymo began as the Google Self-Driving Car Project in 2009. The project aimed to create fully autonomous vehicles, and Waymo was spun off as an independent company under Alphabet Inc. in 2016.
Currently, Waymo vehicles are offering service in several vibrant Miami neighborhoods, including Brickell, Downtown, Little Havana, Flagami, Coconut Grove, Allapattah, Wynwood, and the Design District. The service area extends to the cities of South Miami and West miami, and encompasses much of Coral Gables and unincorporated areas of Miami-Dade County, generally bordered by the Palmetto and Dolphin freeways to the west and north, and Kendall Drive to the south.
The company anticipates expanding service to Miami international Airport in the near future.
Waymo already provides fully autonomous ride-hailing in Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and San Francisco, according to its website. Orlando is among the cities listed as “upcoming.”
Pro tip – To request a Waymo ride,users must download the Waymo app and verify they are within the designated service area. availability is limited during this initial phase.
What is a fully autonomous vehicle? A fully autonomous vehicle is capable of performing all driving functions under certain environments without any human intervention.
Why now? Waymo’s expansion into Miami reflects growing demand for autonomous transportation options and the city’s favorable climate and infrastructure for testing such technology. The company sees Miami as a key market for scaling its operations.
Who is involved? Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., is the primary entity driving this expansion. the initial service is available to approximately 10,000 pre-registered Miami-Dade County residents.Local officials have been involved in discussions regarding safety and regulatory frameworks.
What is happening? Waymo has launched a fully autonomous ride-hailing service in Miami, offering rides to a limited number of users within a 60-square-mile area. The service utilizes Waymo’s proprietary self-driving technology, removing the need for a human driver.
How does it work? Users request rides thru the Way
