Waymo to Test Autonomous Vehicles in Philadelphia

According to CNBC, Waymo, the autonomous driving company under Alphabet, announced plans to conduct tests in Philadelphia, deploying a small number of vehicles with safety personnel in the driver's seat. On July 7, Waymo posted on social media platform X, stating, "This city is a national treasure. It is filled with love, and its eagles soar with a resilient spirit. Our road trip will next head to Philadelphia." Waymo confirmed to CNBC that testing will begin this fall in Pennsylvania's largest city, with the initial vehicles being manually driven. The routes will cover more complex areas of Philadelphia, including downtown and highway sections. A spokesperson from Waymo mentioned, "People will see our vehicles moving through various neighborhoods at different times, from North Central to Eastwick, extending from University City all the way to the eastern Delaware River area." Through its so-called 'road trip' activity, Waymo aims to collect map data and assess the performance of its autonomous driving technology, Waymo Driver, in new environments, including its ability to handle different traffic patterns and local infrastructure. Companies typically use a 'road trip' approach to determine the feasibility of offering paid ride-hailing services in specific areas. Meanwhile, Waymo is working to broaden its service offerings. Last month, the company announced plans to test in New York City, taking its first steps in the largest city in the U.S. Waymo has applied for a permit from the New York City Department of Transportation to conduct autonomous driving tests in Manhattan, although a trained expert will be in the driver's seat to assist. Currently, state laws do not allow for fully autonomous operation. Currently, Waymo One provides over 250,000 paid rides weekly in Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Austin, and is preparing to expand its fully autonomous ride service to Atlanta, Miami, and Washington, D.C. by 2026. As Alphabet increases its investments in infrastructure, the company faces pressure to commercialize its AI products for profitability. In 2024, the 'Other Bets' segment generated $1.65 billion in revenue, up from $1.53 billion in 2023. However, this segment reported a loss of $4.44 billion last year, greater than the $4.09 billion loss in 2023.