LOS ANGELES (KTLA) – Los Angeles freeways can be a white-knuckle ride for even the most fearless drivers. But as you navigate the endless traffic, tight turns, and unforgiving merges, get ready to see something new: a driverless car alongside you.
Waymo, one of the companies at the forefront of driverless tech, confirmed to KTLA that it will begin testing fully autonomous passenger cars on L.A. freeways this week. Fully autonomous for Waymo means “without a human driver.”
The driverless white vehicles with radar gizmos attached to the roof and sides have already been ferrying riders on city streets across the area, from Santa Monica to downtown L.A. However, this is their first time conducting driverless tests on the interstates.
“Our initial testing will begin on the 10, 110, 90, and 405 (freeways),” Waymo told KTLA 5 News.
The initial tests will be for employees only to provide feedback on the service and overall rider experience.
The company said it has been completing approximately 150,000 trips per week in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Phoenix and Austin, totaling more than 4 million fully autonomous rides in 2024 alone.
What is the most popular destination in L.A.? The Grove shopping center, managers said, but that may change in 2025 if Waymo gets the final go-ahead to take passengers on the freeways.
