Alphabet’s autonomous driving unit, Waymo, has begun manual testing of its self-driving vehicles at Newark Liberty International Airport, taking a step toward introducing its robotaxi service to one of the main airports serving the New York City area.
The testing phase, conducted with human safety drivers, is being carried out in partnership with the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The move underscores Waymo’s ongoing effort to expand its autonomous ride-hailing operations beyond its current markets in the United States.
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Waymo has been steadily growing its presence in the country, despite facing challenges such as strict regulations and the high cost of autonomous vehicle technology.
The company has recently accelerated its progress through collaborations with ride-hailing platforms and fleet operators, coinciding with increased competition from other players such as Tesla, which is preparing to introduce its own robotaxi service.
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Commercial adoption of autonomous vehicles remains complex in the United States, with companies like General Motors’ Cruise encountering setbacks linked to accidents, recalls, and federal investigations.
Despite these hurdles, Waymo continues to pursue growth both domestically and internationally, with plans to launch its fully driverless ride-hailing service in London by 2026 as part of its broader expansion strategy.
