Groupe Renault and Waymo,  formerly the Google self-driving car project, are planning a test route between one of the busiest airports in Europe and the French capital. It is hoped the airport transfer service – self-driving car – will run between La Defense in Paris and Charles de Gaulle Airport.

The project is the result of an ongoing project between the French car manufacturing giant and Waymo to develop autonomous vehicle technology services.

The airport transfer trial is being conducted with the cooperation of the Parisian public transport authority.

La Defense is one of of the large business hubs in the capital and is situated about five miles west of the main tourist areas.

It is hoped the trial and eventual implementation of services will be completed in time for the Paris Olympics in 2024.

Key Features of the Project:

• Test Route: The trial route will link La Défense, a key business hub located approximately five miles west of Paris’ central tourist attractions, to Charles de Gaulle Airport, addressing the demand for reliable, efficient airport transfers.
• Public Collaboration: The trial is being conducted in partnership with the Parisian public transport authority, ensuring integration into the city’s existing mobility ecosystem.
• Timeline: The project aims to be fully operational by the 2024 Paris Olympics, aligning with France’s broader mobility goals for the global event.

Adam Frost, chief automotive programs and partnerships officer at Waymo, says:

“France is a recognized global mobility leader and we look forward to working with the Paris Region and our partner Groupe Renault to explore deploying the Waymo driver on the critical business route stretching from Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport to La Défense in Paris.

Apple has announced plans to have driverless cars on the road by 2024. Ride-hailing companies like Lyft and Uber are rolling inexorably toward driverless cars. By some estimates, AVs could well be a $2 trillion market worldwide by 2030.