Waymo, the self-driving technology company owned by Alphabet, announced plans to dramatically expand its robotaxi fleet over the next two years. The company will add more than 2,000 new autonomous Jaguar I-PACE vehicles through its partnership with auto manufacturer Magna International.
The expansion will take place at Waymo's newly opened 239,000-square-foot "Driver Integration Plant" in Mesa, Arizona. This facility, which began operations in October, is designed to eventually produce tens of thousands of autonomous vehicles annually.
Beyond the Jaguar I-PACE models, Waymo also plans to manufacture its advanced Geely Zeekr RT robotaxis featuring "6th-generation Waymo Driver" technology at the Mesa plant later this year.
The company currently operates approximately 1,500 robotaxis, providing around 250,000 paid driverless rides weekly across Phoenix, Austin, San Francisco Bay area, and Los Angeles. Waymo aims to extend services to Atlanta, Miami, and Washington, D.C. by 2026.
This expansion comes as Waymo explores new business opportunities. Alphabet CEO Sundar Pichai recently indicated the company might consider offering its self-driving technology for personally owned vehicles. A preliminary partnership with Toyota suggests movement in this direction.
Waymo's approach differs from competitors like Tesla through its use of sophisticated sensor systems, including radar and lidar, alongside cameras and sonar. While these components increase vehicle costs, they have enabled Waymo to launch commercial driverless services ahead of rivals.
The Mesa facility represents Waymo's commitment to domestic manufacturing and positions the company for substantial growth in the autonomous vehicle market over the coming years.