Waymo Expands Autonomous Robotaxi Service to Four New Cities

The self-driving vehicle company is launching fully driverless rides in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando.

Published on Feb. 24, 2026

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Waymo, the autonomous vehicle subsidiary of Alphabet, announced on Tuesday that it is expanding its Robotaxi service to four new cities - Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando, Florida. The company says its self-driving technology has led to 81% fewer injury-causing crashes, though Waymo vehicles have been involved in some incidents and have violated traffic laws in the past. Waymo's chief safety officer testified before the Senate Commerce Committee, emphasizing the company's safety-first culture and that it provides 400,000 rides per week with nearly 200 million fully autonomous miles driven.

Why it matters

Waymo's expansion into these new markets represents a significant milestone in the commercialization of autonomous vehicle technology. As Waymo and other self-driving companies work to make this technology more widely available, there are ongoing questions and concerns about the safety and oversight of these vehicles, especially in dense urban environments.

The details

Waymo says select drivers who already have the Waymo app downloaded will receive invitations to use the new Robotaxi service in the four cities, with rides open to the general public later this year. The company claims its self-driving technology has led to an 81% reduction in injury-causing crashes, though Waymo vehicles have been involved in some incidents, including one in San Francisco where a Waymo car struck and killed a neighborhood cat, prompting local leaders to consider new legislation to regulate the autonomous vehicles.

  • Waymo announced the expansion on Tuesday, February 24, 2026.
  • Waymo's chief safety officer testified before the Senate Commerce Committee on February 4, 2026.

The players

Waymo

Waymo is the autonomous driving subsidiary of Alphabet Inc., the parent company of Google. Waymo is one of the leading companies developing self-driving vehicle technology.

Mauricio Peña

Waymo's chief safety officer, who testified before the Senate Commerce Committee about the company's safety standards and use of remote operators.

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What they’re saying

“For us safety is not a competing priority. It is the foundation of every decision we make at Waymo.”

— Mauricio Peña, Chief Safety Officer, Waymo (Senate Commerce Committee)

What’s next

Waymo plans to open its Robotaxi service to the general public in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando later this year, after initially inviting select existing app users to try the service.

The takeaway

Waymo's expansion into these new markets represents a significant step forward in the commercialization of autonomous vehicle technology, but also highlights the ongoing safety concerns and need for proper oversight as these self-driving cars become more prevalent on city streets.