Los Angeles, known for its congested freeways and intense traffic, will soon see an innovation in its streets: driverless cars. Waymo, a leading company in autonomous vehicle technology, has confirmed that it will begin testing fully autonomous passenger cars on L.A. freeways this week. The unique feature of these cars is that they operate without a human driver, marking a significant step forward in the development of autonomous vehicles.
Current Operations and Testing Areas
Waymo’s driverless cars, which are easily recognizable by their white color and radar equipment on the roof and sides, have already been transporting passengers on city streets throughout Los Angeles. These routes include popular areas like Santa Monica and downtown L.A. However, this marks the first time the company will be testing these vehicles on major freeways, such as the 10, 110, 90, and 405. These tests are a crucial step in assessing the vehicle’s performance in more complex driving environments.
The initial testing of these driverless cars will be restricted to Waymo employees only. This allows the company to gather valuable feedback from those directly involved in the testing process, especially regarding the service and overall rider experience. These early trials aim to ensure that the cars are capable of handling the challenges of high-speed, high-density freeway traffic before they are made available to the public.
Previous Testing and Ride Statistics
Waymo has already been operating its autonomous cars in other cities, including San Francisco, Phoenix, and Austin. The company has conducted over 150,000 trips weekly across these locations, and in 2024 alone, it completed more than 4 million fully autonomous rides. This extensive testing and experience in various cities have built the foundation for expanding to the busy freeways of Los Angeles, a critical step in the evolution of autonomous vehicle technology.
Looking ahead, Waymo is also eyeing future growth in its L.A. operations. If the freeway testing proves successful and the company receives the necessary approvals, it could eventually begin offering its driverless taxi service to the public on L.A.’s freeways. This expansion may change local transportation patterns, with popular destinations like The Grove shopping center already experiencing significant interest in autonomous rides, setting the stage for a transformative year in 2025.