Waymo buys Apple’s abandoned self-driving car proving ground for $220M

Waymo purchased a 5,500-acre autonomous vehicle proving ground in Wittmann, Arizona, for $220 million on June 5. This acquisition nearly doubles the $125 million Apple paid for the same facility in 2021, which was a key component of Apple's discontinued self-driving car initiative. The transaction, documented in Maricopa County filings, significantly enhances Waymo's testing capabilities as it aims to expand its robotaxi service to one million weekly rides by the close of the current year. The proving ground offers a dedicated and controlled environment crucial for developing and validating advanced autonomous driving systems, allowing Waymo to accelerate its deployment and refine its technology under diverse simulated conditions.