Waymo Begins Driverless Vehicle Testing on Detroit Streets
Waymo has begun testing fully autonomous vehicles in Detroit without a human safety driver. The company is operating in downtown and several nearby neighborhoods, though it has not announced when public rides will start. Detroit is one of several northern cities Waymo is assessing as it expands into areas with changing weather and different permitting rules.
Waymo has been operating in Metro Detroit since November, using Zeekr Ojai vans built in China and white Jaguar I-Pace cars. Its current testing covers downtown plus Corktown, Midtown, Hamtramck, and Indian Village, with more areas planned. No public ride date has been set; a service-area map will appear before app bookings open.
The company is also evaluating Denver, Minneapolis, Chicago, and Montreal as cold-weather markets. Denver launched this summer. An analyst predicts limited Detroit service by late 2026 and broader app access in early 2027, depending on operations and state permitting. The sixth-generation system is described as capable in winter conditions and roughly half the cost of the earlier Jaguar setup.
Detroit residents and visitors could gain another transportation option if Waymo opens rides, potentially benefiting people without cars or those seeking more mobility choices. Local taxi and rideshare drivers may face added competition, while city officials could weigh permitting, safety, and accessibility concerns. Because public service has no set date, effects may unfold gradually, and cold-weather performance could shape whether autonomous rides become reliable in Detroit and similar northern cities.