Inside The Waymo Factory Building A Robotaxi Future

Waymo's Arizona Factory: Mass-Producing Self-Driving Jaguars and Beyond

Located near Phoenix, Arizona, Waymo operates a state-of-the-art facility producing its fleet of autonomous Jaguar I-PACE electric SUVs. This 239,000-square-foot factory, opened in October, currently produces several vehicles daily, each equipped with Waymo's custom-designed computer systems, cameras, radar, and lidar sensors. However, ambitious expansion plans are underway to significantly increase production volume and automate processes.

Kent Liu, Waymo's head of vehicle manufacturing, revealed that the factory's target is to produce tens of thousands of vehicles annually to meet projected growth. While this scale is modest compared to traditional auto plants, Waymo's robotaxis boast significantly higher utilization rates than personal vehicles, generating a substantial number of paid rides weekly. With a projected fleet of 10,000 vehicles within the next year, Waymo's daily ride count could surpass 250,000, potentially boosting annual revenue to $2 billion.

This multimillion-dollar investment is crucial to Waymo's expansion. After years of development and testing, Waymo transitioned into a fully operational business in 2024, expanding its services to San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Austin. Further expansion is planned for Atlanta, Miami, and Washington, D.C., with ongoing testing in Nashville and Tokyo.

Unlike traditional assembly lines, Waymo's facility features a more streamlined, less high-volume process. Pre-modified Jaguars arrive, and workers install the sophisticated sensor and computing systems. Rigorous testing ensures optimal functionality before vehicles are deployed. Currently, the factory aims to complete six vehicles per shift, with plans to double this output.

Waymo maintains a substantial reserve of over 2,000 I-PACEs awaiting conversion. Future models include a Zeekr van and a Hyundai Ioniq 5, offering cost-effective alternatives to the Jaguar. However, tariffs on Chinese imports present challenges for the Zeekr van.

Waymo's technology, including lidar, radar, cameras, and computing systems, is entirely in-house designed and manufactured through Alphabet's global supply chain. The company anticipates significant cost reductions with its sixth-generation hardware. Vehicles deployed in Phoenix even drive themselves from the factory to their service areas.

The partnership with Magna, a leading auto engineering and manufacturing company, continues to be instrumental in Waymo's production process. The Mesa facility replaces a smaller Detroit facility, showcasing Waymo's commitment to efficient, scalable autonomous vehicle production. Waymo's continued innovation and strategic partnerships position it for substantial growth in the autonomous vehicle market.

Related Forbes Articles:

• Waymo Is Partnering With Toyota To Design Autonomous Vehicles (By Alan Ohnsman)
• A Robotaxi Business Is A Dream For Elon Musk–But Already A Reality For Waymo (By Alan Ohnsman)
• Waymo Robotaxis Are Heading To Tokyo For Their First Overseas Road Tests (By Alan Ohnsman)

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