Scoop: Waymo to send self-driving cars to New Orleans

The big picture: The news is part of a new innovation focus at Louisiana Economic Development to be announced today that also includes initiatives supporting the state's AI strategy and startups, according to an early version of a press release.

• The strategy is backed by $50 million in federal funds.

Zoom in: Waymo has already tested its cars in dozens of U.S. cities, spokeswoman Sandy Karp tells Axios New Orleans, but this year it plans its "most extensive expedition to date."

• Waymo cars will visit more than 10 cities over 2025, Karp said. It started earlier this year in San Diego and Las Vegas.
• During these visits, Karp says, a driver "will be behind the wheel at all times."

Yes, but: Don't start planning your Waymo rides.

• Waymo isn't yet planning to launch a rider program in New Orleans, though the goal is "to bring our technology to more people in more places," Karp says.

What's next: One of Waymo's cars will be on display today. Then, fewer than 10 of them will hit New Orleans' streets in the coming weeks.

• "Our testing will begin with manual driving through the densest and most complex parts of each city, including city centers, and freeways," Karp says.