Waymo Scales Robotaxi Production at New Arizona Manufacturing Plant

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1. Waymo's new 239,000-square-foot factory in Mesa, Arizona, aims to produce tens of thousands of self-driving vehicles annually. What happens inside could transform how we move around cities.

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Currently operating 1,500 robotaxis and providing 250,000 weekly rides, Waymo partnered with automotive supplier Magna International to scale production dramatically

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The factory converts Jaguar I-PACE electric SUVs ($72,000 each) into autonomous vehicles by installing specialized sensors, cameras, and Waymo's distinctive "top hat" lidar unit.

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Workers manually install Waymo's technology into vehicles with pre-cut sections. Current output? About six robotaxis per shift—but that's just the beginning.

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"This facility will certainly need to be capable of doing tens of thousands per year," says Kent Yiu, Waymo's head of vehicle manufacturing, who previously worked at Apple and GM.

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The most impressive efficiency feature? Phoenix-bound vehicles drive themselves directly from the factory to pick up their first passengers within 30 minutes of rolling off the line.

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Beyond the Jaguar I-PACE, Waymo will soon add vehicles from Chinese automaker Geely (Zeekr RT) and Hyundai's Ioniq 5, though 145% tariffs on Chinese EVs create challenges.

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Waymo designs all technology in-house—including lidar, radar, cameras, and computing systems—claiming their approach ensures better safety than competitors using simpler systems.

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The expansion aims to support Waymo's growing service, with plans to launch in Atlanta this summer (2025) and in Miami and Washington, D.C. by 2026.

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If successful, Arizona Governor Katie Hobbs believes the facility could transform the state's economy: "The new manufacturing facility will help Arizona's tech economy continue to rise on the world stage."

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