Our mission is to be the world’s most trusted driver
Every year, 1.4M lives are lost to traffic crashes around the world. The status quo is not acceptable. Waymo is committed to holding safety to a higher standard. Because when we do, we make space for people to get around in a whole new way. On this path, we aim to offer freedom of movement for all, create a sustainable, efficient transportation ecosystem, and make the planet better than we found it.
Starting at mile one
We started on this journey over a decade ago. Every mile we’ve driven on every road we’ve traveled has led us to where we are today. And we’re in it for the long haul — we’ve only just begun.
We started on this journey over a decade ago. Every mile we’ve driven on every road we’ve traveled has led us to where we are today. And we’re in it for the long haul — we’ve only just begun.
Waymo History
Waymo History
09
The Google self-driving car project begins
We set out on a challenge to drive autonomously over ten uninterrupted 100-mile routes in our Toyota Prius vehicles. Months later, we’d succeeded in driving more autonomous miles than had ever been driven before.
15
First fully autonomous ride on public roads
We explored what self-driving cars could be with the Firefly. These cars had custom sensors, computers, steering, and braking, with no steering wheel or pedals. That year, our friend Steven Mahan took the world’s first fully self-driving ride on public roads in Austin, TX. Steve is legally blind.
16
Waymo becomes an independent self-driving technology company
Waymo was established under Alphabet as a self-driving technology company with a mission to make it safe and easy for people and things to move around.
17
Waymo's Early Rider Program begins
We invited residents in Arizona’s Metro Phoenix area to join us in the first public trial of autonomous ride-hailing. Their feedback has been integral in helping shape our technology, service, and customer experience.
18
Waymo One launches in Metro Phoenix
We launched the world's first commercial autonomous ride-hailing service with the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid minivan — our first vehicle built on a mass-production platform designed for and integrated with the Waymo Driver.
20
Waymo opens up our fully autonomous, rider-only Waymo One service in Metro Phoenix to all members of the public
Anyone in the U.S. can download the Waymo One app directly (available on Google Play and the App Store) and instantly hail a fully autonomous ride in our service territory.
21
Waymo’s Trusted Tester research program begins
We began allowing select San Franciscans to use our autonomous ride-hailing service for their everyday needs while providing valuable feedback that helps shape the future of mobility.
22
Waymo launches rider-only service to the public in SF
In early 2022 we began serving fully autonomous riders — with no human behind the wheel — to employees and the public alike through our waitlist and to Trusted Testers.
22
Waymo offers first-ever fully autonomous ride-hailing service to an airport
Waymo becomes the first autonomous ride-hailing service to offer paid, fully autonomous, 24/7 rides to and from an airport after launching rides at Phoenix Sky Harbor International Airport.
23
Waymo serves its first fully autonomous rides in its next ride-hailing city: LA
After announcing that Los Angeles will be Waymo’s next ride-hailing city, we served our first-ever, rider-only rides in LA with employees.
23
Waymo autonomous fleet becomes all-electric
We transitioned to an all-electric fleet, bidding a fond farewell to the Chrysler Pacifica Hybrid, and committing to the Jaguar I-PACE across our Waymo One fleet.
23
Waymo One doubles service area in Metro Phoenix, adding Scottsdale
In May 2023, we connected our Downtown Phoenix and East Valley service territories in Arizona and added Scottsdale, making it the largest fully autonomous, paid ride-hailing service area in the world at 180 square miles.
24
Opening San Francisco to all
We opened our San Francisco service area to the public for anyone to download and ride.
24
Welcoming all riders in the city of Angels
Waymo opened its doors to anyone in LA and said goodbye to the waitlist. Anyone can now download and ride in our LA service area.
The latest from our blog
June 11, 2026
Introducing Waymo Premier, an elevated rider experience
Read moreJune 11, 2026
Driven by Purpose: What’s Your "Because"?
Read moreJune 10, 2026
Introducing Waymo’s New Reference Model for Human Collision Avoidance
Read moreJune 4, 2026
A second life for EV batteries, clean energy for communities
Read more
Partnering to bring autonomous driving to all
We're partnering with leaders across the globe to bring the safety of the Waymo Driver and the magic of Waymo One to more people.
Network partners
In some cities, we work with partners to deploy Waymo autonomous vehicles on their platforms. In Austin and Atlanta, riders can experience Waymo rides on Uber. In Phoenix, DoorDash users can experience deliveries of the future.
Uber
Doordash
Network partners
In some cities, we work with partners to deploy Waymo autonomous vehicles on their platforms. In Austin and Atlanta, riders can experience Waymo rides on Uber. In Phoenix, DoorDash users can experience deliveries of the future.
Uber
Doordash
Fleet partners
In the US, Moove.io helps keep our fleet clean and running smoothly. In Tokyo, Nihon Kotsu and GO are helping manage our fleet and drive manually to map the city as we evaluate how to adapt to international roads.
Nihon Kotsu
GO
Automotive partners
We join forces with automotive partners who value sustainability and equip us with all-electric vehicle platforms to integrate our autonomous technology.
Hyundai
Jaguar
Integration partners
We collaborate with Magna to integrate our autonomous driving technology and assemble the Waymo vehicles that serve riders daily.
Magna
EV charging partners
Our EV charging partners help us ensure our fleet is charged and ready to serve riders day and night.
EVgo
Terawatt
Voltera
Safety research
Explore the dataSafety is at the heart of everything we do. We share our safety data openly and partner with third party safety research partners like Swiss Re to validate our performance against human benchmarks.
Community partners
Meet our Waymo CommunityWe have more than 100 community partners who represent a diverse set of interests, needs, and abilities. We’re working together to build a future where everyone can travel safely and with ease.
Sustainable energy partners
See our sustainability impactTo power our all-electric fleet, we source renewable energy whenever possible by collaborating with local utilities and community choice energy programs.
Law enforcement and first responders
Learn moreWaymo works closely with public safety officials to ensure the safe introduction of our technology. We proactively offer in-person trainings and have conducted sessions for thousands of first responders at dozens of agencies.
Academia and research communities
Explore Waymo Open DatasetWith our scale, we’re uniquely positioned to share datasets with the research community. With our Waymo Open Dataset, we empower researchers to accelerate breakthroughs in autonomous technology.
Leading the way
Our leadership team comes from many backgrounds, but they share the mission of building the world's most trusted driver to make it safer, more accessible, and more sustainable to get around. Get to know our leaders and what drives them here at Waymo.
Tekedra Mawakana
Co-Chief Executive Officers
Tekedra MawakanaDmitri Dolgov
Co-Chief Executive Officers
Dmitri Dolgov
Becky Bucich
Chief People Officer
Becky BucichSteve Fieler
Chief Financial Officer
Steve FielerAmar Mehta
Chief Legal Officer
Amar MehtaSatish Jeyachandran
Vice President, Engineering
Satish JeyachandranRyan McNamara
Vice President, Operations
Ryan McNamaraSaswat Panigrahi
Chief Product Officer
Saswat PanigrahiMauricio Peña
Chief Safety Officer
Mauricio PeñaSrikanth Thirumalai
Vice President, Onboard Software
Srikanth Thirumalai
Empowering sustainable transportation
We're committed to helping communities shift towards more climate-friendly modes of transportation by being more walkable, bikeable, transit-rich, and providing access to shared electric vehicles (EVs).
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