Robotaxis Coming to Denver as Colorado Opens Door to AV Innovation

By John Frank | Axios Denver

In the near future, you can hop in a driverless car and cruise through Denver.

Why it matters: The technology promises to reduce vehicle fatalities and crashes, and to increase mobility for people who are elderly, disabled or impaired.

State of play: Waymo is preparing to deploy its robotaxis on Denver roads starting next year, a spokesperson confirmed this week.

• The company began testing in September to map streets and gather data on driving patterns.

The next step is to test the vehicles in autonomous mode with a driver on board, though a date for those efforts is TBD.

• A date for the company to start offering driverless rides is not yet set.

Between the lines: The company also is meeting with community organizations, including the Colorado Center for the Blind, AAA Colorado and the Denver Public Schools Foundation, to get feedback on its plan.

What they’re saying: “We will ramp up responsibly and with safety in mind every step of the way as we work to serve Denverites,” spokesperson Sandy Karp told us.

The big picture: Denver is one of a dozen cities where Waymo plans to offer robotaxi service, part of a major national rollout.

• Driverless cars from Waymo, Uber and other companies are now navigating the streets in Atlanta, Austin, Los Angeles, Phoenix and San Francisco.
• Among cities being tested, Denver is the trickiest, given our winter weather road conditions.

How it works: Unlike some other states, Colorado is welcoming robotaxis with open arms. A 2017 state law only requires companies to comply with state and federal driving laws.

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