Self-driving cars, once a concept confined to science fiction, are steadily becoming a reality on public roads, thanks in large part to companies like Waymo, the autonomous vehicle division of Alphabet, Google's parent company. Recently, Waymo announced a significant expansion of its fully autonomous ride-hailing service, doubling the number of cities where its driverless vehicles operate without a human behind the wheel. This development marks a notable milestone in the evolution of autonomous transportation, signaling growing confidence in the technology and its readiness for broader deployment.
As of now, Waymo offers fully autonomous rides to the public in five major U.S. cities: Phoenix, San Francisco, Los Angeles, Atlanta, and Austin, Texas. These rides utilize the all-electric Jaguar I-Pace, a sleek, modern SUV equipped with Waymo’s self-driving technology. Riders can summon these vehicles either through the dedicated Waymo app or, in certain cities, via Uber’s app, depending on local partnerships and app availability. This integration with existing ride-hailing platforms helps make autonomous rides more accessible to a wider audience by eliminating the need to download a separate app in some areas.
The latest expansion, announced in late 2024, adds five new cities to Waymo’s fully autonomous pilot program: Miami, Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando. Initially, these vehicles will operate with Waymo employees only, with plans to open the service to the public in 2026. The rollout began in Miami in November, and the other cities will follow in the coming weeks. This phased approach allows the company to ensure safety and operational readiness before offering rides to general consumers.
Waymo’s rapid expansion reflects a broader strategic push. In August 2024, the company declared it was entering a "new chapter," accelerating its commercial growth. Earlier in November, Waymo announced plans to bring its ride-hailing service to three additional cities—Las Vegas, San Diego, and Detroit—also slated to open to the public next year. In these locations, the company plans to deploy both its established Jaguar I-Pace vehicles and a newer model, the Zeekr RT, which features Waymo’s latest, sixth-generation self-driving technology. This next-generation tech includes smarter sensors and improved navigation capabilities, especially in challenging weather conditions.
The company isn’t just expanding its service areas; it is also increasing its manufacturing footprint. In May 2024, Waymo opened a state-of-the-art, 239,000-square-foot autonomous vehicle factory near Phoenix. This facility is designed to scale production, with plans to add 2,000 more fully autonomous Jaguar I-Paces to its existing fleet of 1,500 vehicles. Notably, Waymo received its final batch of Jaguars earlier this year, signaling a transition to newer vehicles like the Zeekr RT, which will incorporate the sixth-generation self-driving system. The factory’s flexible design allows for this integration, helping Waymo stay at the cutting edge of autonomous technology.
Partnerships play a critical role in Waymo’s strategy. Last October, the company announced a collaboration with Hyundai to bring its sixth-generation self-driving technology to the all-electric Ioniq 5 SUV. These vehicles will eventually join Waymo’s fleet, offering riders more options. Additionally, in April 2024, Waymo reached a preliminary agreement with Toyota to explore autonomous driving tech integration, potentially allowing the technology to be adapted for personally owned vehicles in the future.
Waymo’s autonomous vehicles have collectively driven over 100 million fully autonomous miles on public roads and provided more than 10 million paid rides. The company’s record suggests that while the technology is still evolving, it is becoming increasingly reliable and accepted. Early passengers, including those unfamiliar with self-driving cars, often find the experience surprisingly smooth and ordinary after an initial adjustment period, despite the unusual sight of a steering wheel turning without human input.
However, the rollout has not been without challenges. Waymo’s vehicles have been involved in a number of notable incidents, including collisions with a bicyclist in San Francisco and a towed pickup truck in Phoenix. In response, Waymo has recalled vehicles and updated its software to address these issues. Importantly, the company’s safety data presents a promising picture: according to its Safety Impact report covering 71 million autonomous miles driven through March 2025, Waymo’s technology resulted in 88% fewer crashes causing serious injuries or worse, and 78% fewer injury-causing crashes overall, compared to