Waymo just hit a major milestone in its autonomous vehicle rollout, launching paid robotaxi services in four new cities today. The Alphabet-owned company is now operating in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando, bringing its total footprint to 10 US cities. The aggressive expansion marks Waymo's biggest single-day geographic push yet and signals the company's confidence that its self-driving technology is ready for mass deployment across diverse urban environments.
Waymo is making its boldest bet yet on autonomous vehicles. The company flipped the switch on commercial robotaxi operations in four major cities today - Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando - instantly doubling down on its presence in the Sun Belt and bringing driverless rides to millions more Americans.
The simultaneous launch represents a dramatic acceleration for Waymo, which has spent years methodically testing and refining its technology in select markets. By expanding to 10 cities in one coordinated push, the Google subsidiary is signaling that its autonomous driving system has matured beyond the cautious, city-by-city crawl that defined its early years.
Texas becomes a particularly strategic battleground. With three major metros now under Waymo's coverage - Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio - the company gains access to some of the nation's fastest-growing urban areas. The Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex alone serves over 7.6 million residents, while Houston ranks as the fourth-largest city in the US. These sprawling, car-dependent cities offer the perfect testing ground for robotaxis, where long distances and limited public transit create massive demand for affordable, on-demand transportation.
Orlando adds a different dimension to Waymo's portfolio. As one of the world's top tourist destinations, the Florida city presents unique operational challenges - unpredictable traffic patterns, unfamiliar drivers, and high volumes of pedestrians navigating theme park corridors. If Waymo can crack Orlando, it proves its technology can handle not just commuters but the chaos of vacation traffic.
The expansion puts Waymo in direct competition with General Motors' Cruise, which has been rebuilding its reputation after a rocky 2023 that saw its California operations suspended following a pedestrian accident. While Cruise has focused on controlled comebacks in select cities, Waymo is pressing its advantage with rapid geographic expansion. -backed Zoox is also testing autonomous vehicles but hasn't yet launched commercial paid rides at scale.
