Waymo Brings Self-Driving Tests to Philadelphia

Waymo begins testing autonomous Jaguar I-PACE SUVs with safety drivers in Philadelphia

Waymo Adds Self-Driving Tests to Philadelphia

Philadelphia residents will soon see autonomous vehicles on city streets as Waymo begins testing operations in coming weeks, transit officials said. The company's electric Jaguar I-PACE SUVs will operate with trained safety drivers behind the wheel during the testing phase. Waymo hasn't disclosed how many vehicles will be deployed or which specific neighborhoods will be included in the testing zone.

Testing Follows Mapping Phase

The testing program follows a mapping phase that began in January, according to the company. Waymo vehicles equipped with sensors and cameras have been collecting street data to prepare for autonomous operations. The company operates commercial ride-hailing services in four other cities—San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, and Austin—where fully autonomous vehicles operate without safety drivers. Officials haven't said whether Philadelphia testing might eventually lead to commercial service or provided criteria for that transition.

Limited Details Released

Waymo hasn't specified the size of Philadelphia's testing fleet or the geographic boundaries where vehicles will operate. The company said testing will begin 'in coming weeks' but didn't provide a specific start date. Financial details of the Philadelphia operations weren't disclosed. Philadelphia city officials haven't yet issued public statements about the testing program, and local transportation advocacy groups haven't publicly commented on the announcement.

Testing Timeline Unclear

Officials didn't provide a timeline for how long the testing phase will last or what milestones must be met before expanding operations. Waymo's testing in other cities has ranged from months to years before launching commercial service. The company's longest-running operation in Phoenix began in 2017 and transitioned to fully autonomous commercial service after extensive testing.

Riders Can Track Updates

The testing vehicles won't be available for public rides during this phase, officials said. Waymo hasn't indicated when or if Philadelphia residents might access autonomous ride-hailing service similar to what's offered in the company's four operational cities. Riders can use Moovit to track real-time transit updates and plan trips across Philadelphia's existing public transportation network while autonomous vehicle testing progresses.