Waymo Expands Robotaxi Service to Select Riders in Four New U.S. Cities

Waymo Expands Robotaxi Service to Four New U.S. Cities, Deepening Autonomous Dominance

Alphabet-owned Waymo has significantly broadened its autonomous ride-hailing footprint, launching its driverless taxi service to select public passengers in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando. This multi-city expansion elevates Waymo’s operational presence to 10 U.S. cities, further solidifying its leadership in the North American market. The move comes as Waymo aims to cultivate a loyal customer base and address persistent public apprehension regarding autonomous vehicles, with a 2025 AAA survey indicating that six in ten U.S. drivers express fear of driverless cars.

The company’s aggressive growth strategy unfolds amidst a highly competitive landscape. Key rivals such as Tesla, Amazon’s Zoox, and startups like Waabi and Nuro are also vying for commercial robotaxi services in U.S. markets. Meanwhile, in Asia, autonomous ride-hailing leaders like Baidu’s Apollo Go and publicly-traded WeRide are actively capturing market share.

Waymo’s phased rollout in the new markets means that initially, “select riders” who have downloaded the Waymo app will receive invitations for their first rides. The company intends to extend these invitations on a rolling basis, with a goal of making the service generally available in these four cities by the end of 2026. This strategic expansion underscores Waymo’s “deepened commitment in the states of Texas and Florida,” as stated in the company’s announcement.

This latest deployment follows a series of recent advancements for Waymo. In January, the company initiated robotaxi operations in Miami, and last year, it commenced service in Austin, initially in collaboration with Uber. Beyond these new markets, Waymo’s autonomous vehicles are already a familiar sight in Atlanta, Phoenix, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay Area.

For its operations in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando, Waymo is deploying its fifth-generation driver system, integrated into its flagship Jaguar I-PACE electric sedans. Earlier this month, the company also began offering rides to employees and their guests in California utilizing its sixth-generation driver system, built on Geely’s Ojai electric car platform.

Financially, Waymo has demonstrated significant backing. In February, the company announced a substantial $16 billion funding round, valuing Waymo at $126 billion, with Alphabet acting as the primary investor. As of the end of January, Waymo operated a fleet of just over 3,000 autonomous vehicles, according to filings with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA).

Despite its progress, Waymo’s operations have not been without scrutiny. The NHTSA has initiated investigations into the behavior of Waymo’s vehicles in proximity to schools and school buses. Furthermore, the company faced criticism following a December power outage in San Francisco, where several Waymo vehicles became immobilized, contributing to traffic congestion during a storm.

In a recent letter to Senator Edward Markey, Waymo reported providing over 400,000 paid trips weekly across the U.S., accumulating more than 20 million lifetime trips. Senator Markey has urged Waymo and other autonomous vehicle developers to enhance transparency regarding their reliance on remote human operators for guidance in complex driving scenarios. The ongoing advancements and challenges highlight the dynamic and evolving nature of the autonomous vehicle industry.