Waymo Launches in Major Texas Cities Following New York Challenges
Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo is set to launch a commercial robotaxi service in Texas’s three largest cities, marking a significant step in its ambitious expansion strategy following a recent setback in New York.
The service, which will operate without a safety driver, is scheduled to begin on Tuesday in Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. According to Waymo’s statement, the initial operations will be confined to designated zones ranging from 25 to 60 square miles (65 to 155 square kilometers), depending on the city.
This rollout aligns with Waymo’s objective to initiate services in over 20 cities this year, spanning international hubs like London and Tokyo, as well as U.S. locations such as Nashville. However, the company faced a setback last week when New York Governor Kathy Hochul withdrew a proposal to permit driverless rides outside New York City, citing insufficient support from various stakeholders, including lawmakers.
Related: Carmakers Push Toward ‘Eyes-Off’ Driving, Raising Questions of Safety, Liability
Waymo had previously begun offering autonomous rides in Austin last year through the Uber Technologies Inc. app. Around the same time, Tesla Inc., led by Elon Musk, launched its own ride-hailing service in Austin, utilizing the company’s automated-driving technology. While most Tesla vehicles in Austin have human safety monitors in the front passenger seat, the company noted in January that it has “a few” operating without them.
In the new Texas markets, Waymo will initially invite “select riders” from the tens of thousands of users who have downloaded its app. As the company prepares to expand service to all users later this year, additional riders will be invited. Waymo has been conducting tests in these cities for several months.
The coverage areas for the new service will be smaller compared to markets like San Francisco, where Waymo has been operating for a longer period and currently offers rides across 260 square miles.
Related: Tesla’s Austin Robotaxis Report 14 Crashes in First Eight Months
In Houston, the service will operate within the Loop, a 38-mile (61-kilometer) highway encircling downtown. Dallas rides will cover 50 square miles, including downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, while San Antonio’s service area will span 60 square miles, featuring popular tourist attractions like the Alamo.
Waymo is also set to expand its offerings to Orlando, marking its second market in Florida after launching in Miami in January. Tekedra Mawakana, Waymo’s co-CEO, emphasized that these new cities are “critical to our plans” for growth.
During the initial launch phase in the three Texas cities and Orlando, Waymo will manage its own fleet and depot operations. A spokesperson indicated that later this year, Avis Budget Group Inc. will assume responsibilities for managing, servicing, and dispatching the Dallas fleet as part of a previously announced agreement.
Waymo may collaborate with one of its existing fleet-management partners to service the fleet in the other three cities in the future. Currently, Uber-backed Moove manages fleet operations for Waymo in Miami and Phoenix, while another Uber-backed entity, Avomo, handles operations in Austin and Atlanta, which is also part of the Uber app arrangement.
Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.
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Alphabet Inc.’s Waymo is set to launch a commercial robotaxi service in Texas’s three largest cities, marking a significant step in its ambitious expansion strategy following a recent setback in New York.
The service, which will operate without a safety driver, is scheduled to begin on Tuesday in Houston, Dallas, and San Antonio. According to Waymo’s statement, the initial operations will be confined to designated zones ranging from 25 to 60 square miles (65 to 155 square kilometers), depending on the city.
This rollout aligns with Waymo’s objective to initiate services in over 20 cities this year, spanning international hubs like London and Tokyo, as well as U.S. locations such as Nashville. However, the company faced a setback last week when New York Governor Kathy Hochul withdrew a proposal to permit driverless rides outside New York City, citing insufficient support from various stakeholders, including lawmakers.
Related: Carmakers Push Toward ‘Eyes-Off’ Driving, Raising Questions of Safety, Liability
Waymo had previously begun offering autonomous rides in Austin last year through the Uber Technologies Inc. app. Around the same time, Tesla Inc., led by Elon Musk, launched its own ride-hailing service in Austin, utilizing the company’s automated-driving technology. While most Tesla vehicles in Austin have human safety monitors in the front passenger seat, the company noted in January that it has “a few” operating without them.
In the new Texas markets, Waymo will initially invite “select riders” from the tens of thousands of users who have downloaded its app. As the company prepares to expand service to all users later this year, additional riders will be invited. Waymo has been conducting tests in these cities for several months.
The coverage areas for the new service will be smaller compared to markets like San Francisco, where Waymo has been operating for a longer period and currently offers rides across 260 square miles.
Related: Tesla’s Austin Robotaxis Report 14 Crashes in First Eight Months
In Houston, the service will operate within the Loop, a 38-mile (61-kilometer) highway encircling downtown. Dallas rides will cover 50 square miles, including downtown and surrounding neighborhoods, while San Antonio’s service area will span 60 square miles, featuring popular tourist attractions like the Alamo.
Waymo is also set to expand its offerings to Orlando, marking its second market in Florida after launching in Miami in January. Tekedra Mawakana, Waymo’s co-CEO, emphasized that these new cities are “critical to our plans” for growth.
During the initial launch phase in the three Texas cities and Orlando, Waymo will manage its own fleet and depot operations. A spokesperson indicated that later this year, Avis Budget Group Inc. will assume responsibilities for managing, servicing, and dispatching the Dallas fleet as part of a previously announced agreement.
Waymo may collaborate with one of its existing fleet-management partners to service the fleet in the other three cities in the future. Currently, Uber-backed Moove manages fleet operations for Waymo in Miami and Phoenix, while another Uber-backed entity, Avomo, handles operations in Austin and Atlanta, which is also part of the Uber app arrangement.
Copyright 2026 Bloomberg.
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