The self-driving car that has been present in several major cities around the United States recently announced its fleet expansion, which includes several new cities. One of the new cities is none other than Orlando, Florida. Back in February, the autonomous car maker stated that they had hopes to expand into 10 new cities throughout 2025. They are already making waves towards that goal with this expansion as Orlando is one of a few new cities they will soon begin operating in. In addition to Orlando, they will soon be in San Antonio and Houston as well.
This was a massive win for the Orlando Economic Partnership.
For years, the organization known as the Orlando Economic Partnership have been working to get tech companies to test in the city. Specifically, they have been targeting autonomous vehicle makers, pushing that Orlando is an ideal area for testing. They successfully convinced another self-driving vehicle company, Beep, who has been operating in Orlando for some time now. However, Waymo is a huge company and one of the leaders in autonomous vehicles. Orlando has already been formally recognized as an official autonomous vehicle area and Waymo being present will solidify that feeling.
Orlando will be the second Florida city for Waymo.
Already, Waymo cars can be seen and ridden in in Miami. Additionally, they have a presence in Phoenix, San Francisco, and Los Angeles. In all of these cities, you can ride in a Waymo just like it were any other rideshare service with a human driver. In fact, Waymo has been partnered with Uber, offering their rideshare service directly through the Uber app.
Orlando poses as an interesting spot for autonomous vehicle testing.
The city has a subtropical climate. With this, it frequently experiences rainstorms and high levels of humidity. This provides a new variety of weather patterns that many autonomous vehicles, such as Waymo, are not quite privy to yet. This benefits them as it expands the experience held by the vehicles. It gives more opportunity to test how the vehicles can withstand harsher weather. Furthermore, Orlando is home to a number of other businesses and industries, which further aids in Waymo’s research. For example, there are numerous businesses that work within the simulation, aviation, defense, and space exploration industries.
Due to the new exposure to harsh weather, Waymo’s Orlando vehicles will first have a driver present.
In most cities where Waymo’s are currently present, the vehicles operate fully autonomously. In the early days of Orlando’s fleet being on the streets, the vehicles will have a safety driver present behind the wheel. This will help ensure proper data recording to help improve the vehicle’s effectiveness when they are sent out without drivers.
