Waymo robotaxis are now operating in 10 US cities | TechCrunch

TechCrunch

by Kirsten Korosec

February 24, 2026

AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary

Waymo, Alphabet's autonomous vehicle division, has expanded its robotaxi services to Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, and Orlando, marking a significant step in its rapid growth. The rollout follows a similar pattern to previous city launches, where selected riders with the Waymo app receive initial invitations before wider access is granted over time. This move underscores Waymo's ambitious push to dominate the autonomous vehicle market, as it continues to add major cities to its service list. Waymo has already established a strong presence in markets like Phoenix, Los Angeles, San Francisco, and Miami, where it provides hundreds of thousands of rides weekly. Its expansion into new cities like Dallas and Houston highlights its strategy to scale operations efficiently, starting with a small fleet in each location and gradually increasing capacity based on demand. The company has also secured substantial funding, raising $16 billion in a recent round that values it at $126 billion, enabling further global expansion plans, including London and Washington, D.C. Despite its rapid growth, Waymo faces challenges, including safety scrutiny from regulators after incidents involving its vehicles. Notably, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration is investigating an accident involving a Waymo robotaxi in Santa Monica. These developments raise important questions about the balance between innovation and safety in autonomous driving technologies. Waymo's co-CEO emphasized the company's commitment to scaling operations responsibly, with plans to serve over one million rides weekly by year-end and expand to more than 20 cities. This expansion not only reflects Waymo's technological leadership but also signals its determination to shape the future of urban mobility, potentially transforming how people travel in cities worldwide. For tech enthusiasts and industry observers, Waymo's progress highlights the transformative potential of autonomous vehicles and the competitive landscape in this emerging market. As Waymo continues to innovate and expand, it remains a key player in driving the next generation of transportation solutions.

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Originally published on TechCrunch on 2/24/2026