Waymo Expands Robotaxi Service to Denver, San Diego, and Tampa, Now Operating in 14 US Cities

The expansion, announced on Tuesday, continues a relentless push that began accelerating 18 months ago. Waymo’s journey from a single market in Phoenix to a nationwide presence has been steady: after receiving permits to operate in San Francisco in August 2023, the company expanded throughout the Bay Area, then into Los Angeles in 2024. A pivotal moment came in March 2025, when it launched in Austin through a partnership with Uber, quickly followed by seven more cities including Atlanta, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Nashville, Orlando, and San Antonio.

In Denver and San Diego, Waymo will exclusively use its next-generation robotaxi, the Ojai — a minivan built by the Chinese automaker Zeekr, equipped with Waymo’s sixth-generation self-driving system. Designed to be cheaper to build, operate, and maintain, the Ojai currently numbers about 300 vehicles, but the company expects that fleet to grow rapidly. The Jaguar I-Pace hatchbacks remain the backbone of the broader fleet, which now exceeds 4,000 vehicles.

The expansion comes as Tesla intensifies its own robotaxi efforts. Tesla charges for driverless rides in its Model Y vehicles in Austin, Dallas, Houston, Miami, Orlando, and Tampa, though service in some areas remains limited. Tesla is also banking on the Cybercab, a custom two-seater without steering wheel or pedals, to accelerate its ambitions.

Waymo’s growth is not limited to the U.S. The company is also planning to launch robotaxi services in London and Munich. Last month, Nevada regulators approved a permit allowing Waymo to operate up to 1,000 autonomous vehicles over the next year in Clark County, home to Las Vegas. Tesla and Uber received similar permits from the Nevada Transportation Authority.

The launch in each new city follows a familiar pattern: mapping and testing, removal of human safety operators, employee and media trials, and finally opening to paying riders. The timeline often depends on local regulations; California, for example, requires permits from two separate agencies.

Why This Matters

Waymo’s expansion to 14 cities signals that autonomous ride-hailing is becoming a viable commercial reality, not just a pilot project.
The competition between Waymo and Tesla is heating up, potentially driving down costs and improving service for consumers.
Regulatory approvals, such as the recent Nevada permit, show that governments are increasingly accommodating robotaxi operations, which could reshape urban transportation.

Background

Waymo, a subsidiary of Alphabet, has been developing self-driving technology for over a decade. It operated a limited robotaxi service in Phoenix for years before securing the permits needed to charge for driverless rides in San Francisco in August 2023. Since then, the company has expanded rapidly across the U.S., often partnering with ride-hailing platforms like Uber to enter new markets. Its latest vehicle, the Ojai, represents a shift toward purpose-built, cost-effective robotaxis, while the Jaguar I-Pace fleet continues to grow.

Key Perspectives

Waymo: Believes its methodical, safety-first approach — mapping each city, testing with safety drivers, then slowly opening to the public — gives it a durable advantage in the robotaxi market. The company sees the Ojai as a way to lower costs and scale profitably. Tesla: Is pursuing a different strategy, relying on its existing vehicle fleet and a vision-only AI system. Its Cybercab, if successful, could leapfrog Waymo’s hardware-heavy approach, but Tesla’s service is still limited in geographic scope and availability. Regulators: State and local agencies are balancing safety concerns with economic incentives. The Nevada Transportation Authority’s approval of permits for Waymo, Tesla, and Uber suggests a willingness to allow multiple players to operate, provided they meet safety standards.

What to Watch

Pace of Ojai production and deployment: How quickly Waymo can scale the cheaper minivan will determine its ability to expand profitably.
Tesla’s Cybercab launch timeline and its integration into the current ride-hailing service.
Regulatory decisions in new markets such as London and Munich, which could set precedents for international expansion.
Any safety incidents or investigations that could slow the industry’s momentum.

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