Waymo rolls with Phoenix Sky Harbor as first airport for expanded robotaxi service

PHOENIX – Autonomous driving service Waymo launched ride-hailing to Arizona’s busiest airport on Tuesday that will include a human operator for now.

Paid rides to and from Phoenix Sky Harbor Airport’s 44th Street Sky Train station will be open to nonemployees 24/7 daily, the California-based company said in a press release. Riders must be signed up with the Trusted Tester program.

Eventually, the general public will be able to catch rides in the electric Jaguar I-PACE, but Waymo did not give a time frame.

“Phoenix holds a special place in our hearts at Waymo, as it’s where we were the first company to launch a public ride-hail service with no human behind the wheel over two years ago,” Waymo said in the announcement.

“That’s why we’re excited to take the next step by initiating the industry’s first-ever paid trips to and from an airport.”

What’s new with #WaymoOne? 🤳🤖🚘🛫

It’s as easy as hail, ride, and fly! ✈️ Beginning today, Trusted Testers can hail rides 24/7 between Downtown Phoenix and @PHXSkyHarbor, with an autonomous specialist present for now. https://t.co/FLCEPcL86K pic.twitter.com/VsEiqqPjvo

— Waymo (@Waymo) November 1, 2022

“Waymo One service to Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport marks our city’s commitment to innovation and technological advancements that will impact the world,” Mayor Kate Gallego said.

Waymo employees began making the robotaxi trips to the airport in May.

The tech company drove onto the fully autonomous commercial ride hail scene in metro Phoenix with Waymo One in 2020 but began testing in the East Valley in 2016.

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