Waymo Takes Its Self-Driving Cars to Virginia

["Self-driving cars aren't yet permitted to operate in Virginia, but Alphabet-owned Waymo has started transporting its vehicles to the state to map Arlington and Alexandria. The move is a preparatory step should the Commonwealth authorize fully autonomous ride-hailing, according to Waymo spokesperson Ethan Teicher. For now, drivers will operate the mapping vehicles.

Waymo's mapping effort is a crucial step towards launching a local robotaxi service. The company policy adviser, Rich Harrington, informed Virginia Department of Transportation officials that Waymo vehicles had arrived in Alexandria and would soon be in Arlington, both located just across the Potomac River from Washington, DC. Harrington mentioned that transitioning from mapping to a full-blown robotaxi service takes 12 to 18 months and significant investment.

Virginia's Autonomous Driving Work Group is working on understanding how to craft regulations for autonomous vehicles in the state. A bill currently before the state Senate aims to create a path for autonomous vehicles to be licensed to carry paying passengers or cargo. However, the law's sponsor, state senator Saddam Salim, doesn't expect it to allow self-driving cars to operate in Virginia before 2028.

Waymo's expansion ambitions are global, with the company currently operating in 11 US metros and completing around 500,000 rides weekly. It's working to expand service to 20 more cities, including London and Tokyo. Despite facing opposition in some states and cities, Waymo is actively working to bring its service to Washington, DC, and laying the groundwork for a service in Baltimore.

The company's existing services have faced challenges, including pausing operations in Texas, Tennessee, and Georgia due to storms and flooding. Waymo recently recalled software related to its vehicles' behavior on flooded roads and is developing a 'final remedy' for the issue. As laws and regulations evolve, Waymo's presence in Virginia, even with manually driven vehicles, could help get its cars in front of national policymakers who are considering laws that might ease robotaxis' introduction in more places."]