Waymo Unleashes Robotaxis in 3 More Cities
- Waymo has begun initial manual test drives in Minneapolis, Tampa, and New Orleans, signaling a major expansion.
- The company is aggressively targeting a 2026 launch for its fully driverless service in these cities, part of a 15-city rollout plan.
- This move marks a critical test for Waymo's technology as it prepares to tackle harsh winter weather conditions for the first time.
- With over 10 million paid rides already completed, the company's rapid growth shows the robotaxi era is accelerating faster than many expected.
Alphabet's Waymo has announced its next targets for expansion, sending a clear signal that the driverless taxi revolution is gaining unstoppable momentum. The company confirmed on Thursday that it will begin manual test drives in Minneapolis, Tampa, and New Orleans, with the ultimate goal of launching its fully autonomous robotaxi service in these markets as early as 2026. This move could bring the company's ambitious 2026 expansion plan to a staggering 15 cities, leaving many to wonder if their city is next on the list.
An Unprecedented Nationwide Rollout
This latest announcement comes just days after Waymo revealed plans to go fully driverless in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio, Miami, and Orlando within weeks, aiming for public service next year. These cities join an already impressive list of planned 2026 expansions, including Detroit, Denver, Las Vegas, Nashville, San Diego, Washington, D.C., and even London. The sheer scale of this operation confirms Waymo isn't just testing a concept; it's executing a full-scale invasion of the traditional taxi and rideshare market. With over 250,000 weekly paid trips and more than 10 million total rides since 2020, the social proof is clear: people are already choosing robotaxis.
From Sun Belts to Snow Belts
Perhaps the most significant aspect of this expansion is the push into cities known for challenging weather. By adding Minneapolis, alongside Denver and Detroit, Waymo is betting its technology is nearly ready to conquer snow, ice, and frigid temperatures—conditions that have long been considered a major hurdle for autonomous vehicles. "We currently operate at freezing temperatures, including with frost and hail, and we're validating our system to navigate harsher weather conditions," said Waymo spokesperson Ethan Teicher. This leap represents a crucial milestone for the entire industry.
Conquering the Freeways
This news follows another major achievement for the company. Last week, Waymo began offering paid driverless rides on freeways in San Francisco, Phoenix, and Los Angeles. Operating at high speeds presents a complex set of challenges, and successfully navigating them is a critical step toward providing a truly comprehensive transportation service.
Safety Remains the Guideline
Despite the rapid pace, Waymo insists it is not cutting corners. A spokesperson clarified that the company will wait for its technology to be fully validated in Minneapolis, Tampa, and New Orleans before committing to a 2026 launch. "2026 is very much on the table, but we'll be led by our safety framework," Teicher stated, acknowledging the high stakes of deploying this futuristic technology. As competitors like Amazon-owned Zoox begin offering rides in San Francisco, the race is on, and Waymo is making it clear it plans to win.
