EVwire brief: Waymo is significantly expanding its robotaxi footprint across the United States. The expansion starts today in Miami, Austin, Atlanta, and Houston, with the San Francisco Bay Area coming soon after.
The company said its autonomous ride-hailing network will cover more than 1,400 square miles across 11 cities over the next few weeks.
The expansion coincides with several U.S. cities preparing to host matches and tourism activity tied to the upcoming FIFA World Cup.
Waymo announced the expansion on X, stating that its service will soon cover more than 1,400 square miles, or about 680,000 soccer pitches:
Context:
The larger operating footprint is intended to support transportation demand during major international events while also expanding everyday mobility access for local residents.
Waymo specifically highlighted Miami, Los Angeles, and other FIFA host markets where increased travel demand is expected.
In a blog post, the company outlined its pitch to both visitors and locals alike:
Waymo will be available in six U.S. host cities, providing residents and millions of international fans with a safe, seamless way to navigate the festivities.
Waymo added that the expansion also targets daily transportation needs outside major events, including errands, late-night trips, and connections to local businesses.
Waymo has provided more than 20 million paid rides to riders
Waymo continues its robotaxi expansion
The latest push further extends Waymo's lead in commercial autonomous ride-hailing deployment in the United States.
The company already operates fully driverless paid services across several major metro markets and continues moving into larger, more complex operating environments.
The company also notes that it is currently the world’s largest 24/7 autonomous ride-hailing service.
Source: Waymo
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