Fully autonomous Waymos are coming to SF freeways

Waymo plans to start testing fully-autonomous rides, without a safety driver present, on freeways in the Bay Area this week, a company spokesperson told Axios.

Why it matters: Waymo will be able to offer faster trips, traffic permitting, by taking advantage of the plethora of freeways.

State of play: Freeway rides, however, will initially only be available to Waymo employees during the test period as part of a "gradual approach to rolling out [its] technology," according to spokesperson Sandy Karp.

• Waymo received approval in March to expand its paid robotaxi services to San Francisco freeways and other highways in the Bay Area, but up until now has only tested its vehicles on these roads with a safety driver.

Between the lines: The company began offering fully autonomous trips on freeways in Phoenix earlier this year to its employees.

Flashback: Last week , it expanded its robotaxi service area to include Daly City, Broadmoor and Colma.

• Yes, but: That did not include freeway driving.

Sign up for Axios San Francisco for free.