Waymo Launches Driverless Rides Across San Diego, Las Vegas, Tampa and Denver

Waymo is set to introduce its autonomous vehicles in four additional markets, extending its nationwide growth and reinforcing its dominant position against emerging competitors.

Waymo adds four new markets starting with employees. The Alphabet unit will start providing fully driverless trips in San Diego, Las Vegas, Tampa, Florida, and Denver over the next several weeks. Service will target company staff initially and later open to riders at large, the firm reported Wednesday.

The initiative follows details shared last year. Waymo already runs self-driving cars in more than 10 locations.

Waymo maintains lead over Tesla and Zoox. The firm enjoys a clear edge in the developing American robotaxi arena relative to Tesla and Amazon-owned Zoox. Zoox is preparing public access for select users in Austin, Texas, and Miami before the year ends. Tesla continues pushing past Austin to additional Texas zones plus Miami.

Fleet size and recent funding provide expansion fuel. As of May, Waymo's U.S. fleet numbered approximately 4,000 robotaxis fitted with the firm's fifth- and sixth-generation self-driving technology, per documents filed with federal vehicle safety officials. In February, Waymo raised $16 billion from Alphabet and additional investors.

Challenges emerge as fleet scales. Certain vehicles have reportedly entered flooded streets after severe storms. Amid Fourth of July events, several cars in San Francisco sat immobilized in gridlock until batteries drained, and one reportedly headed toward fireworks.

International entry and ambitious trip targets ahead. Waymo intends to debut operations in London, marking its initial overseas destination, before the close of this year. The company has logged more than 20 million driverless journeys in total and is targeting 1 million weekly rides by December 31.