Waymo reaches 10 million fare-paying autonomous taxi rides, as plans to expand operations in San Jose receive the green light.
Waymo Announces Expansion of Robotaxi Operations to Dallas and Other Cities
Waymo, the self-driving car subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., has announced plans to significantly expand its commercial robotaxi operations, with Dallas set to join cities like San Francisco, Los Angeles, Austin, Atlanta, and Miami in offering fully driverless rides to paying customers in 2026[1][3][4][5].
The expanded service area in Dallas will cover over 85 square miles (220 square kilometers), and the Dallas fleet will be managed through a partnership with Avis Budget Group for fleet management and maintenance[1][4][5]. This move marks Dallas as the second major Texas city for Waymo after Austin.
Waymo's current robotaxi services are already operating in cities like Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Austin, accumulating over 100 million autonomous miles driven publicly[2][5]. In addition to these cities, Waymo is actively testing and developing its service in over 10 other markets, such as New York City and Philadelphia[3][5].
Regulatory approvals play a crucial role in Waymo's expansion, and the company is fully permitted for driverless operations in California, Arizona, and Texas, including Dallas[4]. This regulatory status notably places Waymo ahead of rival Tesla, which, as of mid-2025, has not received full driverless operation approval in any U.S. state despite launching pilot services like the one in Austin[4].
Internationally, Waymo has announced plans to extend its services to Tokyo, marking its first global expansion[3][5].
The announcement of these developments was made by co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana at the Google I/O developer conference. Safety remains a central focus in Waymo's long-term approach, according to Mawakana, who also emphasized the importance of building a sustainable business[6].
Waymo is also expanding its operations in the San Francisco Bay Area, receiving regulatory approval to expand its commercial robotaxi operations in San Jose and much of Silicon Valley[7]. This approval opens the door for future access to San Francisco International Airport[8].
Despite not providing details about the financial performance of its robotaxi operations, Waymo has completed over 10 million paid robotaxi rides and is currently delivering more than 250,000 rides per week[9]. This move is part of a broader plan for Waymo to enter 10 additional U.S. cities this year, including Boston and Dallas[10].
In Atlanta, Waymo is launching its service through a partnership with Uber, with early access available to selected users[6]. Waymo is also mapping San Francisco International Airport under a separate permit[11].
The expansion consolidates Waymo’s lead in the commercial robotaxi market by scaling its driverless fleet operations, investing in partnerships, and navigating regulatory hurdles favorably[1][2][4][5]. Co-CEO Tekedra Mawakana stated that there is a path to profitability for Waymo's robotaxi operations[6].
- With Waymo's expansion into Dallas, the finance sector may see significant changes as the autonomous transportation industry is expected to contribute billion-dollar investments in technology and infrastructure.
- As Waymo continues to develop and scale its driverless fleet operations, the company is setting a new standard for the technology industry, especially in finance, transportation, and related sectors, paving the way for a more connected and autonomous future.
