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Waymo’s autonomous robotaxi service is set to launch in Washington, D.C., in 2026, marking a significant expansion for the Alphabet-owned company. This announcement was made on Tuesday, unveiling plans for the service to broaden its reach beyond its current locations.
Jonathan Adkins, the CEO of the Governors Highway Safety Association, shared his enthusiasm about the safety of Waymo’s operations, stating, “I’ve experienced firsthand how safely the Waymo Driver operates around pedestrians, cyclists, and other vulnerable road users. Waymo has collaborated with GHSA and our first responder network to prioritize safety as they expand their services. As someone who regularly walks to work, I look forward to sharing the road with Waymo in Washington, D.C.”
Currently, Waymo One operates in several cities, including San Francisco, Los Angeles, Silicon Valley, and Phoenix. The service has also expanded to Austin and Atlanta through a partnership with Uber. The venture into D.C. follows a remarkable year for Waymo, which reported over 4 million paid autonomous rides in 2024, a notable achievement amid stiff competition in the robotaxi market. Additionally, Waymo aims to start services in Miami in 2026, working with startup Moove.io, as confirmed by a spokesperson to CNBC.
In contrast, other companies face challenges in the autonomous vehicle sector. General Motors has begun shutting down its Cruise robotaxi service, while Tesla, led by Elon Musk, has yet to launch a dedicated robotaxi service despite years of promises. Meanwhile, Amazon’s Zoox continues testing its vehicles across various U.S. cities, with plans to initiate service in Las Vegas followed by San Francisco.
Waymo has not provided further details regarding its launch in D.C. The rollout will begin with a series of road trips featuring the Waymo Driver, although these initial test rides will be conducted by human drivers who will provide feedback about the local driving environment and conditions.
In its official statement, Waymo noted, “We’ll continue introducing ourselves to D.C.’s communities and emergency responders over the coming months. We’ll also continue to work closely with policymakers to formalize the regulations needed to operate without a human behind the wheel in the District.”
CORRECTION: This story has been updated to show that Waymo completed more than 4 million paid autonomous rides in 2024.
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