Waymo has purchased a 5,500-acre autonomous vehicle proving ground in Wittmann, Arizona, for $220 million — nearly double the $125 million Apple paid for it in 2021. The facility, once the centerpiece of Apple's now-defunct Project Titan, was acquired in a deal recorded June 5 in Maricopa County filings.
The acquisition gives Waymo a world-class test site as it races to scale its robotaxi fleet to 1 million weekly rides by the end of the year. The $220 million price tag reflects both the facility's value and the competitive urgency in autonomous vehicle development.
The proving ground includes 45 buildings, multiple test tracks, and a controlled environment designed for high-speed and urban driving scenarios. Waymo plans to use the site to validate its sixth-generation sensor suite and accelerate deployment in new cities.
The deal highlights the shifting landscape of self-driving technology: Apple's exit from the sector has become a strategic opportunity for its rival. Waymo now controls one of the largest private AV test facilities in the U.S., a direct contrast to Apple's failed $10 billion investment in the now-scrapped car program.
Some analysts question whether the acquisition will translate into faster regulatory approvals or meaningful revenue growth, given the lingering challenges of public trust and city-level permitting for fully driverless operations.