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More self-driving cars may be seen on the streets of San Antonio as a new ride-hailing business has just launched in the city.
What residents should know
Rideshare service Waymo officially launched to the public on Feb. 24, according to a news release from the company.
“Waymo is serving more riders than ever, as we are on track to serve over one million rides per week by the end of this year,” Tekedra Mawakana, the co-CEO of Waymo, said in the news release.
Residents in areas near Alamo Heights, the San Antonio International Airport, Castle Hills and Balcones Heights will now be able to reserve trips, the release states.
To check out Waymo’s full service map for San Antonio and other cities across Texas, check it out here.
What’s special about it?
Waymo’s self-driving vehicles are operated by AI-powered, fully autonomous “Waymo Drivers,” according to their website.
The company first began as a Good self-driving car project in 2009 and has grown to offering autonomous ride-hailing services in major metro areas across the United States.
According to the company’s website, vehicles use highly detailed custom maps with real-time sensor data to determine their exact location.
Testing was completed in San Antonio for several weeks prior to the launch, according to previous reporting from Community Impact.
Quote of note
Katie Ferrier, the SVP of public policy and economic development with the Greater San Antonio Chamber of Commerce, said the expansion shows confidence in San Antonio’s business market.
“The Greater San Antonio Chamber is proud to celebrate Waymo’s expansion to limited public rides here in San Antonio,” she said.
“This milestone reflects months of thoughtful planning and a shared commitment to innovation. Waymo’s investment here signals confidence in San Antonio’s workforce, infrastructure, and forward-thinking business climate.”
In the future, Mawakana said expansion is inevitable for Waymo, with plans to expand into more cities.
“Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Orlando are critical to our plans, as we lay groundwork for service in 20+ cities,” he said.
In addition to San Antonio, Waymo also launched its services in Dallas, Houston and Orlando, Florida on Feb. 24.
