Breaking

Waymo opens paid robotaxi rides in Denver, San Diego and Tampa, bringing service to 14 U.S. cities

September 1, 2026 at 10:21 EDT

Robotics
Sales & Business

Alphabet-owned Waymo has begun inviting public riders to its fully autonomous robotaxi service in Denver, San Diego, and Tampa, expanding commercial operations to 14 U.S. cities and following its usual playbook of rolling invitations rather than an immediate citywide opening.

September 1, 2026 · Waymo

Robotaxis open in three more U.S. cities

Waymo is inviting public riders in Denver, San Diego, and Tampa on a rolling basis, taking fully autonomous commercial service to 14 U.S. cities with a fleet of more than 4,000 vehicles.

Fleet mix at launch

Ojai minivans (about 300) remain a small slice of a 4,000-plus commercial fleet; Denver and San Diego riders get Ojai only.

~300

Ojai vans

4,000+

Total robotaxis

Column height is proportional (300 vs 4,000+). New cities start with dozens of vehicles and are planned to scale toward hundreds.

U.S. cities with public rides

94%

Fewer serious-injury-or-worse crashes vs. human drivers

~150

Square miles of new service territory

Usual market playbook

Map and test streets

→

Remove safety operator

→

Invite waitlisted riders

→

Open the app to all

Why riders want it

Accessibility advocates cite guide-dog access and a predictable cabin; older adults and local officials describe another option for errands and late-night trips without driving.

Limits on the ground

A Denver poll found nearly 60% of non-riders unlikely to try it. Service starts in limited zones (60 square miles in Denver, no airport yet), and a recent chain-reaction crash followed an unexpected stop for a pedestrian.

Continue reading

The rest of this article is for AI News Blitz readers. Choose an option below to keep reading.