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Waymo enters next phase of testing in Charlotte
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About five months after Waymo announced its expansion into Charlotte, the driverless cars are still circling the city. But you still can't hail one yourself.
Why it matters: Don't fret, robot fans. Waymo is still coming. It can take about a year for the driverless cars to launch, and the company has actually completed its first step in preparation.
The latest: Though Waymo has not shared an exact timeline with Axios, a spokesperson says it has completed its street mapping of Charlotte.
- It's now advanced to the next phase: letting the cars drive by themselves while Waymo employees are still behind the wheel.
- Once that phase is complete, it will test fully autonomous operations with Waymo employees as passengers.
Zoom out: Waymo has taken over a year to launch in its newer markets.
- Atlanta took 14 months, from early testing in April 2024 to its June 2025 launch.
- Waymo recently announced it was beginning to test fully autonomous rides in Denver, Las Vegas, San Diego and Tampa, with plans to "welcome the public soon." Testing in those markets began in 2025.
What we're watching: You may have noticed a new type of Waymo car driving around.
- Waymo is testing its new light-blue vehicle, called Ojai. Waymo declined to comment on whether it would offer both the white Jaguars and Ojai in Charlotte.
- The company describes the Ojai as "remarkably expansive" and a "living room on wheels," with a completely flat floor.
