Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. $GOOG, has suspended its self-driving taxi service in downtown Los Angeles after multiple vehicles were set on fire during protests against immigration raids. At least five autonomous cars were damaged, according to KTLA. The company stated it does not believe it was specifically targeted but removed its vehicles following a directive from the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD). Operations in the area are paused indefinitely.
Alphabet’s $GOOGL autonomous vehicle subsidiary, Waymo, is continuing its ambitious journey into the self-driving car market. In a recent announcement, the company revealed plans to begin production of autonomous vehicles using its cutting-edge technology, featuring the Jaguar I-PACE and Zeekr models $JAG.TO . This new phase of Waymo's expansion, in partnership with Canadian automotive parts supplier Magna International $MG.TO, marks a significant step in advancing the development of autonomous vehicles (AVs). Set to commence production at a new facility in Arizona later this year, this venture signals Waymo's ongoing commitment to revolutionizing the transportation sector despite the hurdles faced by the autonomous vehicle industry.
In recent years, the market for autonomous vehicles has been rapidly evolving. One of the most significant developments has been the partnership between companies operating in the mobility sector. A key announcement was made regarding Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet $GOOGL, and automotive giant Magna International $MGA, who plan to double their production of robo-taxis at a new factory in Mesa, Arizona. This ambitious undertaking opens up new horizons not just for automated transportation services but also for the entire industry.
Waymo, a frontrunner in autonomous vehicle innovation and a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. (Google), is gearing up for a significant expansion of its services. The company is set to introduce a self-driving taxi service in Washington, D.C., next year, aimed at helping American lawmakers and officials gain insights into autonomous vehicle technology while they navigate the complexities of federal regulatory frameworks.
The landscape of urban transportation is poised for a seismic shift as companies race to harness the potential of autonomous vehicles. In recent developments, the automotive tech sector is abuzz after Uber Technologies Inc. $UBER CEO Dara Khosrowshahi stated that Tesla Inc. $TSLA under Elon Musk, has chosen not to make Tesla’s eagerly anticipated robotaxis available on the Uber platform. This decision has sparked a conversation about the future of autonomous ride-hailing.
