Alphabet $GOOGL ( ▼ 2.08% ) ’s self-driving unit Waymo is widening its robotaxi footprint again, adding Houston, Dallas, San Antonio, and Orlando to its service map. The driverless rides will initially be offered to select app users in those cities, with broader public access expected later this year.
The expansion brings Waymo’s total coverage to 10 U.S. cities — roughly doubling its service area in just a few months and cementing its position as the clear leader in commercial autonomous ride-hailing.
Sun Belt takeover in progress
Most of Waymo’s new markets are fast-growing southern metros where car dependence is high and public transit options are limited — fertile ground for robotaxis. The company has been steadily targeting sprawling cities where a self-driving alternative could quickly scale.
By rolling out access gradually, Waymo can test real-world performance while managing safety, mapping precision, and operational costs before opening the floodgates to everyone.
The robotaxi race is heating up
The expansion also signals that autonomous vehicles are shifting from experimental tech to real transportation infrastructure. Waymo now operates commercial services across multiple states, while competitors scramble to catch up.
For Alphabet, the bet is clear: robotaxis could become a major long-term revenue engine — and one of the first tangible consumer businesses built entirely on AI.