Baltimore is gearing up to join the cadre of cities with access to driverless taxis courtesy of Waymo. The company, once known as the Google Self-Driving Car Project, is initiating test drives downtown, potentially starting this very week. Waymo's ambitions for Baltimore aren't isolated. The Alphabet-owned service is already established in five cities and plans to reach a total of 20, including markets such as Minneapolis, New Orleans, Miami, and several others, as WMAR2 News reported.
Despite the excitement, the road to driverless taxis cruising Baltimore streets is mapped with caution. Initially, Waymo's fleet will navigate the city's grid manually. Following this period, cars will operate autonomously but still chaperoned by a specialist, before elevating to a fully driverless experience, as explained by Governor Wes Moore, as detailed by CBS News Baltimore. Moore added, "Maryland has a long, proud tradition of embracing innovation and driving discovery." However, the date when Baltimore's lifestyle will entwine with the fully autonomous vehicles remains undetermined.
As Waymo expands its network, the conversation with local first responders and government officials is also an integral part of the rollout. Safety remains at the forefront. Announced via a company statement, Waymo is conscientious about community engagement to ensure the safe implementation of its technology.
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