Waymo has officially started testing its fully driverless vehicles on the streets of Detroit, marking a major step toward launching a future robotaxi service in the Motor City. The move expands the company’s footprint beyond Arizona and California, positioning Detroit as a new hub for autonomous vehicle innovation.
The company plans to take advantage of Michigan’s winter weather and automotive expertise to further refine its technology for real-world driving challenges like snow, ice, and extreme cold.
Waymo’s new test fleet will include vehicles developed with Zeekr, a brand under China’s Geely Auto Group, along with its existing Jaguar I-Pace electric SUVs. While no official launch date has been announced, insiders expect the commercial robotaxi service to begin in 2026, pending state and federal approvals.