Waymo expands to Denver and Seattle with its Zeekr-made vans

Waymo has unveiled plans to introduce its fleet of vehicles, including the Jaguar I-Pace SUV and the Zeekr vans, to Denver and Seattle this week. This initiative marks a significant step in the company's ongoing effort to broaden its presence across the United States. Initially, these vehicles will be operated manually as Waymo prepares to implement its autonomous driving technology in both cities. According to a statement to TechCrunch, the company aims to launch robotaxi services in Denver by next year and hopes to extend this service to the Seattle metropolitan area as soon as regulations allow. This expansion brings Waymo into two of the most challenging weather environments in the country, providing a unique opportunity to evaluate its technology under conditions such as snow, wind, and rain—elements that are less prevalent in areas like Phoenix. Waymo's operations continue to grow nationwide, with the company recently announcing a fleet of over 2,000 robotaxis across various U.S. cities. This includes approximately 800 in the San Francisco Bay Area, 500 in Los Angeles, 400 in Phoenix, 100 in Austin, and several others in Atlanta. Moreover, Waymo has plans to offer commercial robotaxi services in Dallas, Miami, and Washington, D.C., next year, and has secured permits to begin testing in New York City. The company is also exploring opportunities in additional cities, having previously conducted 'road trips' with its vehicles in locations such as Philadelphia, with plans for similar activities in Las Vegas, San Diego, Houston, Orlando, and San Antonio.