Waymo’s big 2026 robotaxi rollout continues. Today, the company started offering robotaxi service to the public in three more cities — Tampa, San Diego, and Denver. The company is now offering robotaxi service — to some degree or another — to public riders in a total of 14 cities. The limitation, which critics are keen to point out, is that the robotaxi service is not covering the whole city, let alone broader metro area, in the locations where it is operating. Waymo’s robotaxis will pick up and drop off passengers in certain areas of Tampa, San Diego, and Denver. That’s how it’s working across the board with initial robotaxi services, though, so it’s not like this is a weakness Waymo alone has. Waymo’s contention is that it is deploying services where they are extremely useful and in high demand. “From day one, we’ve designed our service areas to cover the places you actually need to go and want to go. This makes it easy for folks who call these cities home to navigate daily tasks—whether it’s running errands, heading back after a late shift, or just catching a safe ride home. Over time, across all of our cities, we plan to gradually expand our presence, bringing you even further and connecting you to more of your favorite destinations.” “Tens of thousands in each city have already signed up and expressed interest in riding with us. We’ll steadily offer more and more riders Waymo access in these cities, as we work toward opening our service to everyone,” the company adds. Without a doubt, as the vehicles start driving around the streets of these new cities, many more people will express interest. “From coast to coast, we’re focused on making everyday transportation safer, easier, and more accessible,” said Suzanne Philion, Chief Marketing Officer at Waymo. “Launching public rides in San Diego, Tampa, and in my home state of Colorado brings our newest vehicle platform and next-generation driver to more riders who are ready to experience the future of mobility.” There are also quotes from a couple of important people in two of these new cities (Tampa and Denver) about how great the Waymo expansion into their cities is, but they seem like bland statements more or less written by a PR company. However, I will include these two important, relevant quotes provided with the news from Waymo: “We at AARP know it’s so important to have as many different transportation options as possible,” shared Laura Streed, Director of Outreach and Engagement at AARP Florida. “Waymo will be another great option for older adults, especially those that don’t want to drive anymore and are looking for another way to get out of their house and in their community.” “As someone who is blind, I usually get very anxious when using rideshare because of the unpredictability,” said Julia Cardenas, President National Federation of the Blind, San Diego Chapter. “I never know if I’ll get a driver who will turn away my dog, which is stressful and frustrating. Being able to experience Waymo and having the freedom to get into a car without a driver and knowing my dog can ride without any issues is a truly great feeling.” Indeed.
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