Waymo Opens Robotaxi Rides to Public in 3 New Cities, Now Operating in 14 Markets
Denver, San Diego, and Tampa join Waymo's rider-only network as the company expands its autonomous taxi service beyond initial launch cities.
Waymo has opened its robotaxi service to the public in three additional cities, expanding its rider-only network to a total of 14 markets.
What Happened
The Alphabet-owned autonomous vehicle company launched full public access to its Waymo One ride-hailing service in Denver, San Diego, and Tampa. The expansion brings the number of cities where anyone can request a driverless ride through the Waymo app to 14 total. Previously, some markets operated with limited early rider programs before opening to all members of the public.
Why It Matters
For EV buyers and autonomous vehicle enthusiasts, Waymo's steady expansion signals growing maturity in the robotaxi space. Unlike Tesla's Full Self-Driving (FSD) feature, which still requires driver supervision, Waymo operates at Level 4 autonomy with no one behind the wheel. The expansion to additional large metro areas puts real-world autonomous rides within reach for more consumers and provides valuable data on how the technology performs across different road conditions and traffic patterns.
The Bottom Line
Waymo's move to open its robotaxi service in three new cities reflects the company's position as a leader in commercial autonomous vehicle deployment. With 14 markets now served, the company continues to build the most extensive driverless ride-hailing network in the United States.
