Waymo Begins Testing at Newark Airport as Service Footprint Widens

• Waymo has started manual testing at Newark Liberty International Airport through a new collaboration with The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey.
• The move follows recent approvals for airport pilots in San Francisco and upcoming commercial launches in London and Nashville.

Waymo has launched manual testing operations at Newark Liberty International Airport, working with The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey. The effort lays the groundwork for potential future service to regional travelers, according to the company.

This new activity comes weeks after Waymo received a Testing and Operations Pilot Permit at San Francisco International Airport. That SFO pilot will progress in phases, from supervised testing to fully autonomous rides for paying passengers. Officials framed the rollout as part of the city’s broader transportation and tourism recovery plans.

Waymo is rapidly expanding its service area. It recently announced plans to deploy its fully autonomous ride-hailing service in London by 2026, partnering with fleet operator Moove. In the U.S., one of its next city launches will be in Nashville through a Lyft collaboration. These moves expand on its existing autonomous network, which spans Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and more.

🌀 Tom’s Take:

Airport travel is steady, high-frequency, and high-volume, exactly the kind of predictable demand that plays to robotaxis’ strengths. If autonomy can win airports, its a big opportunity.

Source: LinkedIn