Waymo Showcases Driverless Jaguar in Annapolis, Seeks Maryland Approval

The autonomous vehicle company emphasizes safety as it pushes for legislative green light to operate in Baltimore.

Published on Mar. 5, 2026

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Waymo, the driverless car company, drew a crowd in Annapolis, Maryland as it showcased one of its fully equipped Jaguar autonomous vehicles. The company is seeking legislative approval to operate in Baltimore, touting the safety features of its self-driving technology which it claims is involved in 90% fewer serious injury crashes than human drivers.

Why it matters

Waymo's push to expand into Maryland highlights the growing momentum behind autonomous vehicle technology, even as some, like the Teamsters Union, remain skeptical about its readiness and potential impact on jobs. The legislation under consideration would regulate driverless vehicles in the state, a key step for Waymo to begin operations in Baltimore.

The details

Waymo's Jaguar autonomous vehicle is equipped with an array of sensors, including a spinning laser pulse that creates a 300-foot 3D view of the surroundings, radar to detect object speeds, and cameras that can read traffic signals and signs. All of this data is processed by the vehicle's onboard computer, which Waymo says makes it one of the safest drivers on the road. The company has also built a first-responder program and event response team to address any issues that may arise.

  • On Wednesday, March 5, 2026, Waymo showcased its driverless Jaguar in Annapolis.
  • Waymo is currently mapping the streets of Baltimore as it seeks legislative approval to operate in the city.

The players

Waymo

An autonomous driving company and a subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., Google's parent company.

Ethan Teicher

A company spokesman for Waymo.

Mark Lautman

A person who experienced a ride in the Waymo Jaguar and said it was "100% more safe than when I drive."

Albert York

A member of the Teamsters Union who opposes the legislation, expressing concerns about the technology's readiness and potential job losses.

Wes Moore

The Governor of Maryland, who likes the concept of autonomous vehicles.

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What they’re saying

“Skepticism is totally normal, right? I mean, we are talking about something that, not too long ago, was a thing of science fiction.”

— Ethan Teicher, Company spokesman (wbal.com)

“It was unreal. One hundred percent more safe than when I drive.”

— Mark Lautman (wbal.com)

“There's no doubt in my mind that, in the future, they will replace us. We are trying to do tomorrow's technology today. It's not ready. I can't get my Roomba to not fall down the steps, and it has been around a lot longer than Waymo.”

— Albert York, Teamsters Union member (wbal.com)

What’s next

The Maryland legislature will decide on the legislation regulating driverless vehicles, which has strong bipartisan support. The judge will also decide on Tuesday whether to allow Waymo to begin operations in Baltimore.

The takeaway

Waymo's push to expand into Maryland highlights the growing adoption of autonomous vehicle technology, even as some remain skeptical about its readiness and potential impact on jobs. The legislation under consideration will be a key step in determining the future of self-driving cars in the state.