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.
Singapore's government is leveraging artificial intelligence to boost productivity and create better jobs as workers face concerns about automation-driven displacement. Prime Minister Lawrence Wong outlined the strategy as the nation taps AI's economic benefits.
WhatsApp has introduced an @all mention feature that lets users notify everyone in a group chat simultaneously. The update also adds anonymous polls and improved private chat options.
X is discontinuing its Revenue Sharing program on September 7 and launching the Original Content Rewards Program in its place. Existing members must apply to the new initiative.
Snapchat is introducing a storage fee for users who want to save their photos and videos to the app's Memories feature. The move has triggered backlash from the user base.