Observed Signal · Feb 24, 2026 · Service Expansion · Source: CNBC Technology · Impact: 4/5 · Sentiment: Positive
Waymo Expands Robotaxi Service to Four New Cities
Waymo expanded its robotaxi service to "select riders" in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Orlando, bringing its U.S. footprint to 10 cities. Invitations will roll out via the Waymo app, with general availability in these markets targeted by the end of 2026. The company will deploy its fifth-generation driver system in Jaguar I-PACE vehicles in the newly launched markets; Waymo has also been testing a sixth-generation driver on Geely-built Ojai cars for employees and guests in California. Waymo reported raising a $16 billion funding round that valued the company at $126 billion and said it operates just over 3,000 autonomous vehicles. Regulators have opened investigations into Waymo vehicle behavior around schools and buses, and the company reported providing more than 400,000 paid trips per week and over 20 million lifetime trips.
Major autonomous-vehicle operator expanding commercial robotaxi service to multiple U.S. cities, reporting large funding and scale metrics; affects competition, regulation, and urban mobility planning.
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Key Takeaways & Evidence Grounding
- Waymo opened its robotaxi service to select riders in Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Orlando.
- With this expansion, Waymo is operating in 10 U.S. cities.
- Waymo said it raised a $16 billion funding round that valued the company at $126 billion, with Alphabet as the majority investor.
- According to NHTSA filings, Waymo was operating just over 3,000 autonomous vehicles.
- Waymo reported providing over 400,000 paid trips per week and surpassing 20 million lifetime trips; NHTSA has initiated investigations into vehicle behavior around schools and school buses.
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Waymo Expands Robotaxi Service to Ten U.S. Cities!
Waymo has opened its robotaxi service to the public in four additional U.S. cities — Dallas, Houston, San Antonio and Orlando — bringing its footprint to ten U.S. cities. The company will invite select riders via the Waymo app and scale availability over time, starting with dozens of vehicles in each new market. Waymo currently operates about 3,000 robotaxis across six markets and reported more than 400,000 rides per week in its last public update; it aims to exceed one million rides per week by year-end. The company recently raised an additional $16 billion in a funding round that values it at $126 billion. Regulators including the NHTSA and NTSB are investigating safety incidents involving Waymo vehicles.
Waymo Scales Robotaxi Fleet Across US
Waymo's commercial robotaxi service has expanded from three cities in September 2024 to 15 U.S. cities in 2026, averaging 500,000 paid rides weekly. Analysis of fleet data reveals concentration in California and Texas, with about 80% of its roughly 4,000 robotaxis. Texas fleet surged by 49% in three weeks, reaching 1,102 vehicles, driven by influx of Zeekr RT minivans branded 'Ojai'. The Ojai, built on Zeekr's SEA-M platform, is central to Waymo's cost reduction strategy, though U.S. tariffs on Chinese-built vehicles raise costs. Waymo plans to import 5,100 Ojais by year-end, expanding to Florida, Las Vegas, and other markets.
Waymo Launches Next-Gen Robotaxis to Strengthen U.S. Dominance
Waymo has begun deploying its sixth-generation Waymo Driver in Ojai robotaxis, initially offering employee rides in the San Francisco Bay Area and Los Angeles with plans to expand to public riders later this year. The new driver uses more cost-effective components, upgraded lidar and radar, a 17-megapixel imager that reduces the number of required cameras, and new in-house algorithms and integrated cleaning systems to improve performance in rain and snow. Waymo installs its autonomous stack into base vehicles supplied by Geely/Zeekr and says it will not share its driving technology, sensor data, or rider information with the automaker. The company operates in six U.S. markets today, plans major U.S. and international expansions in 2026, reported a $16 billion funding round led by Alphabet valuing Waymo at $126 billion, and faces some U.S. political scrutiny over its use of Chinese-made vehicles.
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