Google’s Self-Driving Car Company Begins Testing In Minneapolis

MINNEAPOLIS, MN — A fleet of self-driving cars from Waymo, the autonomous vehicle company spun out of Google, has begun operating on Minneapolis streets as part of early testing for a possible future ride-hailing service.

Waymo builds fully autonomous vehicles that operate without human drivers.

The company already offers paid rides in cities such as Phoenix, Los Angeles, and San Francisco and has now selected Minneapolis as its next major testing ground.

Residents may begin seeing two types of vehicles on city streets: the Jaguar I-PACE and the Zeekr RT, both equipped with Waymo’s sensors, cameras, and software.

Watch a Waymo in action here.

The company said Minneapolis was chosen partly because of its harsh winters. Waymo has been preparing its vehicles for heavy snow and ice by running tests in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, the Sierra Nevada in California, and Upstate New York.

According to the company, its current system, called the sixth-generation Waymo Driver, uses artificial intelligence and specialized cleaning mechanisms designed to keep sensors working in winter conditions.

“Our technology is making roads safer where we operate, and we look forward to offering the Minneapolis community a safe and accessible transportation option,” Waymo said.

Minnesota lawmakers also praised the move. Rep. Jon Koznick, a Republican who co-chairs the House Transportation Finance and Policy Committee, said the arrival of autonomous technology is an exciting step for a state known for healthcare and innovation.

Rep. Erin Koegel, a DFL member and fellow co-chair, said Minnesota is committed to responsible deployment that improves connectivity, reduces congestion, and supports a cleaner and more efficient transportation system.

Waymo’s expansion into Minneapolis adds the city to a growing network where the company is building or operating autonomous services. It currently serves riders in Phoenix, the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, Austin, and Atlanta. Additional markets listed as "up next" include Dallas, Denver, Houston, Las Vegas, Miami, London, Washington, DC, and more.

The company also tests its vehicles in several cities to gather driving data in different climates and traffic patterns. Minneapolis joins places such as Buffalo, Boston, New Orleans, Seattle, Philadelphia, Tampa, New York City, and Tokyo on that list.

Waymo has not announced a date for offering rides in Minneapolis, but residents can sign up for updates here.