Waymo has acquired a 5,500-acre autonomous vehicle proving ground in Arizona from Apple for $220 million, expanding its testing infrastructure in the state.
The property, located near Wittman, Arizona, was owned by Route 14 Investment Partners LLC, a Delaware shell company tied to Apple. County filings confirm the transaction and purchase price.
The acquisition gives Waymo additional space to test and develop its self-driving technology. The company already operates other proving grounds in the same region, making the new facility part of a growing testing ecosystem in Arizona.
Apple has maintained a secretive autonomous vehicle program for years but has not commercialized a self-driving car. The company shifted focus in 2024, dissolving its dedicated car team to concentrate on AI projects instead.
Waymo, owned by Alphabet, is the leading autonomous vehicle company by deployment. It operates paid robotaxi services in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles, and continues expanding its testing capabilities.
The deal reflects how autonomous vehicle companies require massive amounts of real estate to safely test their systems before public deployment. Proving grounds simulate various road conditions, weather scenarios, and driving situations needed to validate self-driving technology.
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