Feed: All Latest | Waymo Takes Its Self-Driving Cars to Virginia by Aarian Marshall AI generated summary, Read the full article for complete information. Waymo has begun driving its self‑driving vehicles into Virginia’s Alexandria and soon Arlington to create ultra‑precise digital maps—a prerequisite for any future robotaxi service—though the state currently does not allow fully autonomous ride‑hailing and has no commercial launch plans yet. Waymo officials say the mapping phase is a preparatory step that could lead to service if Virginia’s legislature eventually authorizes driverless taxis, a process projected to take 12‑18 months and significant funding; a state bill aims to permit autonomous vehicles but isn’t expected to take effect before 2028. The effort reflects Waymo’s broader push to expand its paid‑passenger service, now operating in 11 U.S. metros with half‑a‑million weekly rides and targeting additional cities domestically and abroad, while it navigates regulatory hurdles, opposition in some regions, and recent operational setbacks such as software recalls and service pauses in flood‑prone areas. Read more: https://www.wired.com/story/waymo-takes-its-self-driving-cars-to-virginia/ #Waymo #EthanTeicher #WIRED #WashingtonDC #Baltimore