Waymo Begins Fully Autonomous Vehicle Testing in Philadelphia Amid Regulatory Steps

Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet and one of the leading developers of autonomous driving technology, has begun operating self-driving cars in Philadelphia as part of a long-term expansion into more than 20 cities across the U.S., including Pittsburgh, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. After initial trials earlier in 2025 using human drivers, the company has now started tests with vehicles that drive without human intervention. Waymo plans to apply to Pennsylvania’s Department of Transportation (PennDOT) for a permit to deploy fully autonomous taxis, but no timeline has been set. The company currently offers driverless rides in cities such as San Francisco, Los Angeles, Phoenix, Austin, and Atlanta.

Company spokesperson Ethan Teicher emphasized that introducing self-driving tech is a gradual and highly regulated process tailored to each city’s infrastructure and traffic conditions. Waymo’s confidence in launching in Philadelphia stems from earlier local tests and its global experience in places like Tokyo and New York. Paul Perrone, CEO of Perrone Robotics, noted that despite major advances, fully automated driving remains a complex challenge involving unpredictable urban scenarios, from ambiguous intersections to civil unrest. Union groups, particularly the Transport Workers Union of America, have voiced opposition, arguing that such vehicles endanger jobs and public safety.

PennDOT officials confirmed that any company seeking to operate fully driverless cars in Pennsylvania must meet rigorous safety, cybersecurity, and data-storage requirements. They also indicated that this would be the first application of its kind in the state. The department continues to study how road design and traffic management may need to adapt to this emerging technology. Waymo’s decision to stay in Philadelphia marks a new phase in the city’s transportation landscape, reflecting a broader national shift from testing toward operational deployment of autonomous mobility.