What the stages mean

Every service sits on one line with six stations, from testing with a safety driver to a paid driverless service. Three states sit off the line. We only move a service to a stage when an operator, a regulator or reputable media say it happened.

  1. Testing with safety driver

    Vehicles drive on public roads with a trained safety driver behind the wheel. No public riders.

    20 services in this stage today.

  2. Driverless testing

    Nobody sits behind the wheel, but the cars carry no riders yet - the operator is testing the system on its own.

    2 services in this stage today.

  3. Driverless rides for employees or invitees

    Driverless rides exist, but only for the operator's employees or a small invited group. The public cannot book.

    3 services in this stage today.

  4. Public rides with a safety operator

    Anyone eligible can ride, but a safety operator is on board - in the driver's seat or the front passenger seat.

    19 services in this stage today.

  5. Public driverless rides (free)

    Members of the public ride with nobody in the driver's seat and no staff on board, but rides are free - usually a pilot, often with a waitlist.

    7 services in this stage today.

  6. Paid driverless service

    A commercial service: the public pays for rides in cars with nobody in the driver's seat. Access may still be through a waitlist.

    36 services in this stage today.

  7. Suspended

    The service was paused - by the operator or by a regulator. It may come back.

    2 services in this stage today.

  8. Ended

    The service was shut down for good, or the operator left the city.

    3 services in this stage today.

  9. Announced

    Only announced. Nothing operates yet - dates are the operator's plans, not commitments.

    9 services in this stage today.

Fine print

  • Safety operator vs. driverless. If a staff member rides along - even in the passenger seat - the service counts as "with a safety operator", not driverless.
  • Free vs. paid. Many cities start with free public pilots. A service moves to "paid" when fares are charged to the public.
  • Waitlists. A paid service can still be behind a waitlist; the "who can ride" line says so.
  • Remote assistance. Nearly every operator has remote staff who can help a stuck vehicle. That does not change the stage.
  • City vs. service area. A city entry rarely means the whole city - read the service area line.