Waymo plots 2026 expansion tests winter roads

Waymo will bring its robotaxis to San Diego, Las Vegas, and icy Detroit in 2026, starting with human-driven cars before moving toward autonomy. The Google spin-off already runs driverless rides in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Phoenix, and is testing elsewhere, but winter marks a new frontier. Waymo says its next-gen system can recognize snow, slush, and ice, with each car acting like a mobile weather station. Experts warn harsher conditions strain sensors, and public scrutiny is rising after a Waymo killed a cat in San Francisco. For now, true winter readiness remains uncertain.