Waymo LLC ( WAY-moh) is an American autonomous driving technology company headquartered in Mountain View, California. It is a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company. As of June 2026, Waymo operates public commercial robotaxi services in 10 US metropolitan areas, has 3,871 robotaxis in service, provides 500,000 paid rides per week and had logged 200 million fully autonomous miles.
The company traces its origins to the Stanford University Racing Team, which competed in the 2005 and 2007 Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Grand Challenges. Google's development of self-driving technology began in January 2009 and the project was revealed in October 2010. In December 2016, the project was renamed Waymo and spun out of Google as part of Alphabet. In October 2020, Waymo became the first company to offer service to the public without safety drivers.
Origins and Early Development
Waymo's lineage traces back to the Stanford University Racing Team, which competed in the DARPA Grand Challenges in 2005 and 2007. The team, led by Sebastian Thrun, then director of the Stanford Artificial Intelligence Laboratory (SAIL), developed the autonomous vehicles Stanley and Junior. These vehicles incorporated advanced artificial intelligence and machine learning algorithms, including deep learning and neural networks, which were critical for perception and decision-making. The success of these vehicles in the desert challenges demonstrated the feasibility of autonomous navigation and laid the groundwork for future development.
In 2007, Google acquired the VuTool team, which had worked on digital mapping for SAIL. This team contributed to Google's Street View project, and their expertise in mapping and sensor fusion would prove invaluable. The following year, Anthony Levandowski, a co-founder of 510 Systems, proposed a self-driving car project to Google's leadership. Although initially declined due to liability concerns, Levandowski was authorized to pursue the project independently, leading to the creation of Anthony's Robots. In 2008, a modified Toyota Prius, named Pribot, was demonstrated delivering pizza across the San Francisco Bay Bridge, capturing the attention of Google's founders.
Project Chauffeur and the Birth of Waymo
In January 2009, Google officially launched its self-driving car program, known as Project Chauffeur, under the Google X lab. The project was led by Sebastian Thrun and Anthony Levandowski, with a team of engineers who had worked on the Stanford vehicles. The initial fleet consisted of modified Toyota Prius and Lexus RX vehicles equipped with LiDAR sensors, cameras, and radar. The project was kept under wraps until October 2010, when The New York Times revealed its existence. Google announced the project publicly the same day.
In 2012, Nevada became the first state to regulate autonomous vehicles, and Google's modified Prius was granted the first license for a self-driven car. The vehicle was "driven" by Chris Urmson, with Levandowski in the passenger seat. The following years saw rapid progress, with the development of the Firefly prototype, a purpose-built vehicle without a steering wheel or pedals. In 2015, John Krafcik was hired as CEO, and the project logged over one million miles of autonomous driving. Google invested $1.1 billion in the project between 2009 and 2015.
The Waymo Era: Spinoff and Growth
In December 2016, the project was renamed Waymo and spun off as a separate company under Alphabet Inc. The name "Waymo" was derived from "a new way forward in mobility." The company focused on developing the technology for commercial use, particularly in the emerging robotaxi market. In 2017, Waymo sued Uber Technologies, alleging that former Google engineer Anthony Levandowski had stolen trade secrets related to LiDAR technology. The case was settled in 2018, with Uber paying $245 million in stock and agreeing not to use the disputed technology.
In 2018, Waymo launched its first commercial robotaxi service, Waymo One, in the Phoenix, Arizona, metropolitan area. The service initially operated with safety drivers, but in October 2020, Waymo became the first company to offer public service without any safety drivers in the vehicle. This marked a significant milestone in the autonomous vehicle industry. By 2024, Waymo had expanded to multiple cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Austin, and had raised $11 billion in outside funding.
Technology and Innovation
Waymo's technology relies heavily on AI and machine learning. The vehicles use a combination of LiDAR, radar, and cameras to perceive their surroundings, creating a high-definition 3D map of the environment. Deep learning models are trained on vast amounts of driving data to recognize objects, predict their behavior, and make safe driving decisions. The company has also invested in neural network architectures and transformer models for improved perception and planning.
Waymo has developed its own suite of sensors and computing hardware, including the Waymo Driver, an integrated system that processes data in real-time. The company has also built a simulation platform called Carcraft, which allows it to test and validate its software in virtual environments. This approach has enabled Waymo to accumulate billions of miles of simulated driving, accelerating the development of its technology.
Expansion and Commercialization
Waymo has pursued a dual strategy of licensing its technology to other companies and operating its own fleet of robotaxis. In 2020, Waymo announced a partnership with Daimler Trucks to develop autonomous trucks for the freight industry. The company has also partnered with Jaguar Land Rover and Stellantis to integrate its technology into their vehicles. In 2023, Waymo expanded its robotaxi service to San Francisco, and by 2026, it operates in 10 metropolitan areas, including New York City, Miami, and Seattle.
In February 2026, Waymo raised $16 billion in a funding round that valued the company at $126 billion. This investment has been used to scale up its fleet, improve its technology, and expand into new markets. The company has also been exploring partnerships with ride-hailing platforms like Uber and Lyft to increase its reach.
Safety and Regulatory Challenges
Despite its technological advancements, Waymo has faced scrutiny over the safety of its autonomous vehicles. In January 2026, the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) opened investigations into Waymo's robotaxis for recurring incidents of illegally passing stopped school buses, and one incident where a robotaxi hit a child who ran out from behind a parked SUV in a school zone. These incidents have raised concerns about the ability of autonomous vehicles to handle unpredictable situations, particularly in school zones and near emergency vehicles.
Waymo has responded by emphasizing that its vehicles have a strong safety record compared to human drivers, and it has implemented over-the-air software updates to address specific issues. The company has also been working with regulators to develop safety standards for autonomous vehicles. In 2025, Waymo agreed to share its safety data with the NHTSA to help inform future regulations.
Leadership and Funding
Waymo is led by co-CEOs Tekedra Mawakana and Dmitri Dolgov since April 2021. Mawakana, who previously served as Waymo's Chief Operating Officer, oversees the company's policy and public affairs, while Dolgov, a former Stanford researcher and early member of the project, focuses on technology and product development. The company has raised $27 billion in total funding, including the $16 billion raised in 2026, making it one of the most valuable autonomous vehicle companies in the world.
Future Outlook
Waymo continues to lead the autonomous vehicle industry, with a significant lead in terms of miles driven and commercial deployment. The company is exploring opportunities in autonomous trucking, delivery, and personal transportation. As of 2026, Waymo is also investing in generative AI to improve its simulation and prediction capabilities. With the backing of Alphabet and a strong balance sheet, Waymo is well-positioned to shape the future of mobility, although it must navigate regulatory hurdles and public trust issues to achieve widespread adoption.