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Waymo to Launch Driverless Vehicles in Denver Starting Tuesday

Waymo will begin offering public rides in Denver starting Tuesday, transitioning from months of training and testing to a full service launch. The company will initially operate a fleet of driverless vehicles within a 60-square-mile zone concentrated in downtown Denver, excluding the Denver International Airport and neighboring cities like Aurora and Lakewood.

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Waymo officials stated that the vehicles will be available to users with the app who receive an invitation. The company plans to offer prices comparable to other ride-hailing services like Uber and Lyft. While the company operates in 11 cities, Denver is considered its first "true winter city" host. The rollout comes as Denver officials consider various transit alternatives. While some critics, such as Andrew Thompson of Colorado Independent Drivers United, expressed concerns regarding the potential loss of jobs for human drivers, others see the technology as a first- and last-mile connector to public transit. Waymo's robotaxis are fully electric, which aligns with Denver's goals for infrastructure electrification. The company stated that it will not turn over data to law enforcement without a legal or court order.

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